Woodworking Shops
Cabinet, millwork and furniture shops run fast-spinning blades and cutters that can take a finger in a split second. They also make fine wood dust that harms your lungs and can explode. OSHA’s woodworking machinery rule (29 CFR 1910.213) and its machine guarding rules apply.
- General Industry
- Manufacturing
Machine hazards
| Machine | Main hazard | Key controls |
|---|---|---|
| Table saw | Blade contact and kickback | Blade guard, riving knife or splitter, anti-kickback pawls, push sticks. See Table Saw |
| Jointer | Hands pulled into the cutter head | Guard that covers the head, push blocks, no jointing very short pieces |
| Shaper and router table | Kickback and contact with cutters | Guards, featherboards, fences, power feeders |
| Band saw | Blade contact | Upper guard set just above the stock, push sticks |
| Planer and molder | Kickback, ejected chips | Stand to the side, anti-kickback fingers, never reach in |
| CNC router | Moving gantry, ejected parts | Interlocked guards or light curtains, clamping and vacuum hold-down |
Safe work habits
- Keep guards in place. If a cut can’t be made with the guard on, ask for a jig or a different method.
- Use push sticks and push blocks whenever your hand would come within a few inches of a blade.
- Stand to the side of the blade, out of the kickback path.
- Let the blade stop completely before reaching in.
- Lock out the machine before changing blades or bits, or clearing jams. See Lockout/Tagout.
- Keep floors clear of scraps and dust, which cause slips near machines.
- No loose sleeves, jewelry, gloves or long hair near spinning blades or cutters.
- Don’t freehand cuts on the table saw. Use the fence or miter gauge.
- Don’t remove scraps near a moving blade.
Wood dust
Wood dust can cause asthma, skin rashes and nose irritation, and some hardwood dusts can cause cancer of the nose and sinuses. Controls:
- Dust collection connected to every machine, with ductwork kept in good repair
- HEPA vacuums for cleanup; no compressed air to blow off dust or clothing
- Respirators when dust can’t be controlled well enough
See Wood Dust.
Fire and explosion
Fine wood dust that settles on beams, lights and ducts can feed a flash fire or explosion. Keep dust from building up, keep dust collectors outside or protected as NFPA standards require, and keep sparks and hot work away. Finishing areas add flammable liquids. See Combustible Dust and Spray Booths.
Noise
Planers, routers and saws often run above 90 decibels. Wear hearing protection and join the hearing conservation program. See Noise.
Start-of-shift checklist
- Guards, riving knives and anti-kickback devices in place
- Blades and bits sharp and undamaged
- Dust collection running and gates open at the machine
- Push sticks and blocks at every saw and jointer
- Floor clear of scraps; safety glasses and hearing protection on
Standards & references
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