Workshop Rules

Wear the Right Safety Equipment

  • Always wear safety goggles, dust masks, and leather or steel toe boots to protect your eyes, nose, and feet. Do not wear sandals or flip flops.

  • Ensure all exposed parts of your body are covered with the appropriate safety gear, regardless of the project duration.

  • Everyone in the equipment barn (the low barn with the power tools) will wear eye protection at all times.

Wear the Right Clothes

  • Opt for comfortable, well-fitting clothes. Avoid baggy clothing and long sleeves that can get caught in machinery.

  • Do not wear gloves, unless using special gloves for hand carving. (note: exceptions to this will be made for medical purposes but will require a specific release for injury due to wearing gloves.)

Avoid Distractions

  • Maintain undivided attention while working. Avoid multitasking, and keep your mobile device on silent.

Wear Hearing Protection

  • Use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing from the noise of woodworking appliances and maintain focus.

Never Take in Anything That’ll Affect Your Natural Judgment

  • Do not drink alcohol or take drugs before or during woodworking. They impair judgment and increase the risk of accidents.

  • If the organization holds an event with alcohol on premises, no woodworking can occur for the rest of the day, even for those not participating in the event.

  • No smoking or vaping in the barns. If you need to smoke or vape do it in your car.

  • No spitting chew in the barn. If you spit chew outside ensure you do not leave the container for others to clean up.

Make Sure You Have Proper Lighting

  • Ensure your workspace is well-lit to avoid tripping hazards and to make precise cuts without blind spots.

Keep Work Area Clean and Dry

  • Maintain a clean, dry workspace to prevent tripping hazards and reduce the risk of electrocution.

Use Just One Extension Cord

  • Use a single heavy-duty extension cord for all connections to keep your workspace organized and safe.

Tie Back Long Hair

  • Keep long hair tied back to prevent it from getting caught in tools or machines.

Avoid Using Blunt Blades

  • Replace or sharpen blunt blades to prevent difficulty in cutting and potential damage to the machine and project.

Always Work Against the Cutter

  • Ensure the blade and material move in opposite directions to reduce risks of damage and hazards.

Do Not Reach Over a Running Blade

  • Disconnect and wait for the blade to stop completely before reaching for any stuck items.

Use Roller Supports and Extension Tables for Large Projects

  • Use supports and tables to move large projects easily, reducing muscle fatigue and conserving energy.

Have a Complete Understanding of Your Tool

  • Read and understand the user’s manual to know how your tool functions and to maintain it properly.

Tools Stay In The Shop

  • Tools are to stay in the shop and should not be loaned or borrowed.

Do not leave running tools unattended

  • Do not leave any tool you have been using until the blade / tool is completely stopped.