Department of Energy (DOE) OSH Technical Reference
Chapter 10 - Woodworking MachineryAppendix B. - Woodworking Machinery Safety Checklist[OTR Table of Contents] [This Chapter] This safety checklist will help employees and supervisors follow minimal safety practices. This list is not meant to be comprehensive or to form part of any official self-assessment practice. Where appropriate, local safety offices and supervisors are encouraged to add to these checklists. Relevant references are noted after each question.
Circular, Crosscut, Rip Saws OK Action Needed
Is the table saw equipped with a hood that covers the
blade and automatically adjusts itself to the thickness
of the material upon which it rides? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213(c)(1)
Does the hood cover the part of the saw blade exposed
above the material? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213(c)(3)(e)
Is the hood adaptable to cover tilted blades? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213(a)(6)
Is a spreader provided at the table saw to prevent
the wood's internal stresses from clamping down on
the saw blade? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213(c)(2)
Are table throat openings kept as small as possible
to prevent material from dropping below the level of
the table? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1)
Are several size throat pieces available to
accommodate rabbeting, grooving, and dadoing
operations? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (1)
Are antikickback dogs/fingers or safety hold-down
wheels installed when material is being ripped? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (c)(3)
Are antikickback dogs/fingers kept sharp to maintain
their holding power? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (4)
Is a helper positioned at the output end of the saw
whenever it appears it might be necessary to reach
over a revolving saw blade? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (5)
Are saw blades allowed to come to a stop on their
own rather than by thrusting a piece of wood against
the cutting edge or side of the blade? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (6)
Do saw tables extend far enough on either side of
a machine to give full support to a length of board
that may be cut ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (7)
Is the blade or cutting head inspected for proper
cutting condition (i.e.., teeth sharp and properly
set, no cracks, free of foreign residue) before
a job is started? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (s)(1)(i)
Is the correct blade matched to the work being done? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (9)
Do operators take care that they do not crowd
(force material faster that it can be cut) the saw? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (10)
Are adjustments to the rip fence made after the saw
has been turned off and the blade rotation has
stopped? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (11)
Is a permanent line marked on the table in front of
and in line with the saw blade to enable th
operator to set the rip fence without lifting the saw
guard? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (11)
Are push sticks used when there isn't enough room
for the operators hands between the rip fence and
saw blades? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (12)
Is the hood left in place when narrow material
is ripped? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (13)
Are saw blades set only high enough to cut through
the material being worked? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (14)
Are feather boards used as side guides and top
hold-down on operations (rabbeting, grooving, and
dadoing) when a blade hood cannot be used? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 a (1)
Radial Arm Saw
Are radial saws equipped with a hood which encloses
a saw blade and the arbor ends? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(1)
Is the lower section of the hood adjustable so it
rises and falls automatically to the thickness of
the material as the saw passes through it? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(1)
Is an antikickback device or are hold-down wheels
installed on saws used for ripping? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(2)
Does the device adapt to any thickness of stock
to be cut? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(2)
Are manually operated radial saws installed so the
front end of the table is slightly higher than the
rear so the cutting head does not move forward
when the motor is turned on? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(4)
Do operators take the unit out of service if at any
time the saw rolls or moves as result of vibrations? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (7)
Does the saw have a positive limit-stop to prevent
the saw from traveling beyond the front edge of the
table? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(3)
Is material measured by placing the material to
be cut against a stop gauge (whenever repeat cuts
are necessary)? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (10)
If it is necessary to measure with a ruler, the
material must be kept well away from the saw until
measuring is completed? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (10)
Is the saw head rotated 90 degrees right or left
and clamped in position when ripping with a radial
saw is necessary? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (11)
Is the material fed against the revolving blade from
the side where the blade rotates upward towards
the operator? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (11)
Do the teeth of the saw extend slightly through the
material being cut? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (11)
Is the direction of the saw rotation conspicuously
marked on the hood? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(5)
Is a permanent decal or sign not less than 1 inch
(2.5 centimeters) by 0.75 inch (1.9 centimeters),
reading "CAUTION; NEVER RIP FROM THIS END"
(or the nearest commercially available equivalent)
affixed to the rear of the guard at approximately the
level of the arbor? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (h)(5)
Is the saw allowed to return to its stopped position
before the stock is removed from the table? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (12)
Is the locking device on the saw head securely
fastened when angle or miter cuts are being made? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (12)
Does the operator ensure that the blade being used
is the proper one for the work being performed? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (15)
When picking short pieces off a table close to a saw
blade, does the operator ease the saw back to the
idling position and make sure that all bouncing has
stopped before putting his/her hand(s) down on the
table? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (16)
Is cylindrical stock securely clamped before being
cut on a radial saw? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 b (16)
Band Saws
Are both upper and lower wheels completely enclosed
on both sides of the band saw? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (i)(1)
Are these enclosures capable of being easily removed
to permit saw blade maintenance? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 c (1)
Is the guard self-adjusting and attached to the
gauge so that (in any position of the gauge) the
guard will completely cover the portion of the saw
blade between the guide rolls and the upper wheel
enclosure? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (i)(1)
Is the saw equipped with an automatic tension control? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213(i)(2)
Does the feed roll on a self-fed band saw have a guard
to prevent the operator's hands from coming into
contact with the in-running rolls at any point? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213(i)(3)
Is the saw always operated within the safe limit
recommended by the manufacturer? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 c (5)
If material binds or pinches on the blade, is the
machine turned off and blade motion allowed to stop
before the operator attempts to back the work
away from the blade? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 c (6)
Jointers
Is each hand-fed planer and jointer (with a
horizontal or vertical head) equipped with a
cylindrical cutting head? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (j)(1)
Does the knife on these machines project no more
than 0.125 inches (0.31 centimeters) beyond the
cylindrical body of the head? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (j)(1)
Is the opening in the table kept as small as
possible? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (j)(2)
Is the clearance between the edge of the rear table
and the cutting head circle or knife no more than
0.125 inches (0.31 centimeters)? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (j)(2)
Is the table throat opening no more than 2.5 inches
(6.2 centimeters) when tables are reset or aligned
with each other for a zero cut? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (j)(2)
Are jointers with front-table mounted fences
equipped with an adjustable device to prevent thin
stock from slipping laterally under the portion of
the fence at the rear of the table? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 d (3)
Is an automatic guard provided to cover the section
of the cutter head near the operator (on the working
side of the fence) and to contact the wood
to prevent any opening from remaining between the
guard and wood during the operation? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 d (4)
Does the guard cover the section of the cutter head
on the nonworking side of the fence? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 d (4)
When power feeders are used, is the feeding
mechanism guarded by a metal shield or hood? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 d (5)
Do operators use hold down push blocks, jigs, or
fixtures? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 d (6)
Power Feed Planers
Are guards provided for feed rolls, cutting heads,
and hold-down rolls at the discharge end of power
feed planers? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 e (1)
Are feed rolls guarded by a metal strip in front of
the rolls under which material may pass, but will
prevent an operator's fingers from being drawn into
the machine? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (n)(3)
Are cutting heads and discharge rolls guarded by a
solid metal enclosure of substantial construction? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (n)(1)
When other than corrugated top feeders are used,
is an antikickback device installed? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (n)(4)
If the top roll is corrugated, does the strip
extend over the top of the roll? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 e (1)
Does the operator examine each planer before using
it to ensure that knifes are not set to take too
heavy a cut for one pass? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 e (3)
Do helpers position themselves where they won't be
pinned between the material and an immovable object? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 e (4)
Do operators take precautions to keep their
fingertips from being pinched between the table top
and the material if the material is tipped quickly
up and down by the in-feed rolls? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 e (5)
Shapers
Are shapers equipped with a braking device that will
ring the cutting head to a stop within 10 seconds
after power is shut off? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (1)
Is a double spindle machine equipped with separate
braking devices? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (1)
Does the fence have as small an opening for knives
as possible? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (2)
Does the fence extend at least 18 inches (45
centimeters) on either side of the spindle? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (2)
Are cutting heads enclosed by a guard? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (3)
Are hold downs and jigs used to limit exposure of
hands to cutters, when ever possible? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (4)
When a blade is removed from a spindle, are all
other blades removed at the same time? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 f (5)
Lathes
Is a hinged metal shield or hood (that completely
covers the knives and material when the machine is
in operation) provided on rotating, cutter-type
lathes? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (o)(2)
Are automatic lathes placed with the back side
against a wall or barrier that will stop knives if
they are thrown rearwards? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 g (3)
Are tool rests set parallel, as close as possible to
the work, and high enough so the tools butt into the
wood slightly above the horizontal center of the
piece being turned? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 g (4)
Is a control stop provided on faceplate-type lathes? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 g(5)
Do operators stand to the side when working with
hand-turning tools? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 g (7)
Is sandpaper held in the fingers and pressed lightly
against a small area at the top of the rotating
material? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 g (8)
Sanding Machines
Is a guard installed on the feed rolls of self-feed
sanding machines? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (p)(1)
Are guards installed at each nip point on a belt
sanding machine? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (p)(4)
Boring and Mortising Machines
Is the unused run of the sanding belt guarded? ----- -----------
29 CFR 1910.213 (p)(4)
Are set screws on safety-bit chucks non-projecting? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 i (1)
Is a guard, enclosing all portions of the bit and
chuck above the material being worked, installed on
boring bits? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 i (2)
Is the top of the driving mechanism enclosed? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 i (3)
Are universal joints on spindles of boring machines
completely enclosed? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 i (5)
Are hold-down devices installed on table-type boring
or mortising machines? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 i (6)
Tenoning Machines
Are feed chains and sprockets of double end tenoning
machines completely enclosed, except for the portion
of cabin used for conveying the stock? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 j (1)
Are sprockets and chains guarded at the sides by
plates projecting beyond the periphery of sprockets
and the ends of lugs at the rear ends of frames
over which feed conveyors run? ----- -----------
AFOSH Std 127-12, para 2-2 j (2)
AFOSH = Air Force Occupational Safety and Health Manual
29 CFR = Code of Federal Regulations Title 29
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