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The Guild takes workshop safety seriously and has developed a training program for new members which includes a set of documentation provided to each member and training to ensure that members can operate workshop machinery safely. Each new member must study the documentation and will undergo a knowledge test to ensure that they are thoroughly aware of Guild safety procedures and machinery operation. In addition, the Committee has appointed a Safety Information Officer who can be contacted regarding any safety concerns that members feel need to be addressed.

                  General Equipment Safety

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  • Keep guards, covers and shields in place and ensure that they are operating correctly.

  • Remove adjusting keys and spanners from equipment immediately after use. Never start equipment with keys and spanners in place.

  • Keep work area clean and free of trip hazards.

  • Always wear approved eye protection when operating machinery.

  • Do not wear loose clothing, jewelry, etc that can be caught in machinery and ensure that long hair is safely secured.

  • Ensure that approved hearing protection is worn when operating loud machinery.

  • Never operate machinery when tired or effected by drugs or alcohol.

  • Disconnect power supply when maintaining equipment including changing blades, grinding wheels, sanding disks and belts etc.

  • Do not allow untrained persons to use equipment.

  • Never use equipment unsupervised. At least two members must be in attendance when equipment is used.

  • Only use machines as intended and with recommended accessories.

  • Ensure the machine is stable before operating.

  • Never leave machinery unattended while it is running.

  • Always check for damaged and worn parts before operating. Report any found to the workshop maintenance personnel.

  • Do not operate electrical machinery if it is wet or standing in water.

                  Additional Bandsaw Safety

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  • Do not operate with blunt, cracked or badly worn blades. Check blade for cracks and missing teeth before operating

  • Never position fingers or hands in line with the blade. Use a push stick whenever possible and appropriate.

  • The bandsaw and the blades fitted are only suitable for natural and man made timbers, not for metals, glass, tiles, etc.

  • Ensure that the blade is properly temsioned and the guides in place and adjusted before operating.

  • Allow the blade to come up to full speed before starting the cut. If too much force is needed to perform the cut, the blade is likely blunt and needs to be replaced.

  • All guards and covers should be inplace when operating. Do not have the top and/or bottom cover open when cutting ad do not override the safety switched.

  • Always support/feed small pieces using the push stick provided. If necessary use a clamping fixture to hold the piece securely while cutting.

  • Do not attempt to slow or stop the blade with the hand.

                  Additional Lathe Safety

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  • Make sure all guards are in place and that the lathe is stable before operating.

  • Always wear an ANSI approved face shield when operating the lathe.

  • Use and approved respirator to avoid dust inhalation when turning spalted timbers or when sanding.

  • Before starting the lathe,

    • ensure that the workpiece is securely attached to the chuck, faceplate, screwchuck, etc

    • the tailstock is in position and locked

    • the tool rest is in position, at the right height and locked

    • the piece can be safely rotated by hand

    • a suitable lathe speed has been set

    • the timber has been checked for splits, knots and other potentially dangerous inclusions

  • Keep tools properly sharpened.

  • Never operate with worn or damaged parts.

  • Do not stop the lathe with the hand against the work piece.

  • Only adjust/move the toolrest with the lathe stopped.

  • Always make measurements on the piece with the lathe stopped

  • Do not remove to much material with a single cut.

  • Ensure that any glue joints on the piece are of a high quality to avoid breaking under the stresses of turning.

                  Additional Grinder Safety

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  • Do not operate with cracked or badly worn wheels. Check wheels for cracks before operating

  • Never position fingers or hands near the wheels.

  • Only use the grinder with ferrous materials, it is not suitable for aluminium, brass, copper, etc.

  • Do not use the grinder near flammable liquids

  • Allow the wheel to come up to full speed before starting to grind.

  • All guards and covers should be inplace when operating. 

  • Do not force material against the wheel, light pressure is all that is required.

  • Do not attempt to slow or stop the wheel with the hand.

  • Unplug the power lead from the socket when changing wheels.

                  Additional Sander Safety

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  • Only use the sander with timber, the belts and disks are not suitable for other materials.

  • Ensure that the power lead is unplugged before replacing the belts and/or disks.

  • Ensure that the belt is properly tensioned and adjusted for no lateral drift.

  • Ensure that adequate dust control measures are taken when using the sander

  • Do not use the sander with material that is coated with lead based paint or with chemi ally treated timber.

  • Ensure that the sander base is stable before use.

  • Take a stable, balanced  stance when using.

  • support the workpiece adequately and maintain control of the piece at all times.

  • Take particular care when sanding small pieces, don't sand pieces too small to be adequatley supported.

  • Sand with the grain of the wood and in the direction of the arrows on the machine to avoid kickback.

                  Additional Drill Press Safety

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  • Never position fingers or hands near the bit when drilling.

  • Don't leave the chuck key in the chuck.

  • Ensure the work piece is secure and stable before drilling, use the vice when practicable.

  • Ensure the base mount is securely fixed to the floor before drilling

  • Do not use the drill near flammable liquids

  • Allow the drill to come up to full speed before drilling.

  • All guards and covers should be in place when operating. 

  • Only use sharp drills.

  • Do not attempt to slow or stop the chuck with the hand.

  • Unplug the power lead from the socket when servicing.

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