Wood Tool Safety

The wood tools in the AMS can be some of the most dangerous tools in the space if used incorrectly. As such, here are some general wood tool safety guidelines to follow when working on a project in the wood room.

• Personal Safety:

  • Wear safety goggles at all times.

  • Ensure there you have no loose articles of clothing on (including long hair!)

    • Take off jewelry, roll up sleeves, take off jackets, etc.

• Environmental Safety:

  • Ensure ventilation in the wood room is turned ON before performing any cuts.

• Operational Safety:

  • Use the right tool for the job.

  • Be mindful of anything that could get in the tool path (especially fingers! use push sticks when possible).

  • Consult the individual tool Wiki pages for any help using a tool and safety concerns specific to that tool.

• Clean-up Operations:

  • After finishing your work, please make sure to sweep up any excess sawdust on the floor. The floor can easily become slippery with excess dust/debris!

Maybe most importantly of all, if you aren't sure what safety procedures need to be followed for a certain tool or operation, ask a mentor! It is our job to ensure safe operation and we'd rather take a few minutes to help you then risk somebody getting hurt. Happy woodworking!