Woodworkingtools

Take a moment to think about today's safety topic. Do you use any wood working tools at work? Do you have wood working tools at home? If you answered yes to either of these questions you need to listen. What you learn today may prevent an injury on the job or at home. Not surprisingly, wood working tools are designed to be used on wood. They are not to be used on metal, iron, or concrete; or for electrical work.

Hammers, hand saws, air nailers, crosscut saws, ripsaws, planers, sanders, band saws, jointers, circular and radial saws, etc. are just a few of the wood working tools that ran be found on a jobsite or at home. Each of these tools is designed for a specific task.

Always read the manufacturer's recommendations prior to using a tool. Power wood working tools come with a guard or guards in place, to prevent you from coming in contact with a moving part. Never remove or bypass these guards or any other safety device. If you find a tool with a guard missing, take it out of service and notify your supervisor at once. An unguarded blade can kick back and as the saying goes, 'Eat you alive."

Always turn off the tool and disconnect the power before changing blades or bits, or making any adjustments or repairs. Wear personal protective equipment if there is the possibility of flying objects, and wear a mask if you are creating a lot of dust. Never wear loose clothing, or jewelry that could get caught in the tool, even if it's only a hand tool. Check electrical cords and switches, and look for cuts or wear in the insulation, as well as broken or damaged ground wires.

Wood working tools come in handy both on the job and at home. Treat them with respect and inspect each tool before use. Never carry a plugged-in tool with your finger on the switch. Keep your work area clean and always - keep tools of all kinds out of the reach of children.

A good tool deserves good care. Always store wood working tools property.