1. Woodworking Machinery Requirements
Woodworking Machinery Requirements
29 CFR covers woodworking equipment. Woodworking equipment includes equipment such as saws, lathes, shapers, jointers, belt sanding machines, etc.
Tell students what section of their notebook/handout materials copies of these slides may be found.
The material was produced under grant number SH SH7 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

2. Main Types of Hazards Associated with Woodworking Operations
Safety
Machine hazards
Point of operation
Rotary and reciprocating movements
In-running nip points (pinch points)
Kickbacks
Flying chips, material
Tool projection
Fire and explosion hazards
Electrical hazards
Health
Noise
Vibration
Wood dust—carcinogens
Chemical hazards—from exposure to
coatings,
finishings,
adhesives,
solvent vapors
Woodworking equipment has many of the same hazards as any other equipment. Woodworking equipment can have kickbacks where the stock may be kicked back at the operator and fire and explosion hazards due to the dust in addition to the point of operation, moving parts, electrical, etc. hazards that other equipment has. Woodworking also has health hazards to consider such as noise, vibration wood dust, etc.

3. 1910.213(a) – Machine Construction General
Machines shall be constructed to be free from vibration when largest tool is mounted and run at full speed
“Run idle at full speed”?
This means the tool is on and running at maximum speed without being under load (cutting)
General requirements for machine construction. How the equipment should be set up.

4. 1910.213(a) – Power Transmission Apparatus
All belts, pulleys, gears, shafts, and moving parts shall be guarded in accordance with the specific requirements of
Woodworking equipment has to have power transmission apparatus guarded the same as other equipment as set out in 29 CFR

5. 1910.213(a) – Disconnect Switch
It is recommended that each power-driven woodworking machine be provided with a disconnect switch that can be locked in the off position.
Woodworking equipment should have a disconnect switch that can be locked in the off position. This helps for lockout/tagout.

6. (a)
All tools operating at more than 90v must have their metal parts grounded
Separate ground wire and polarized plug
Cutting heads must be machined to fit specific types of arbors
General requirements for woodworking equipment.

7. 1910.213(a) – Combs/Featherboards
Combs (featherboards) shall be provided at the workplace for use when a standard guard cannot be used.
Combs/featherboards help provide distance between the operator’s hands and the point of operation. Some woodworking equipment won’t have the standard guards that other equipment may have. A picture of this is on the next page.

8. Woodworking Machines
Picture: A router with a featherboard that is used to provide distance between the operators hands and the point of operation (cutting head). This removes the need for the operator to manually hold the wood.

9. 1910.213(b) – Machine Controls and Equipment
A mechanical or electrical power control shall be provided on each machine to make it possible for the operator to cut off the power from each machine without leaving his position at the point of operation.
Machine controls and equipment requirements. Don’t want the employee to reach over the controls to turn on and off the equipment.

10. (b)(3) – Power Failures
On applications where injury to the operator might result if motors were to restart after power failures, provision shall be made to prevent machines from automatically restarting upon restoration of power.
Photo: Sensing Saf Start – this is a device that can be plugged into the equipment to prevent the equipment from starting up on it’s own after a power failure.
If the power goes out and the equipment stops running, we don’t want the equipment to start back up when the power is restored. The equipment should either be manufactured, retrofitted or used with a device such as the sensing saf start so that it does not automatically restart upon restoration of power.

11. 1910.213(b) – Operating Controls
Operating controls must be placed so the operator has access to them without reaching over the cutting blade
Must be placed within reach of their regular work station
Machines operated by electrical motors must have controls capable of being rendered inoperative
For maintenance, repairs, adjustments, etc.
More woodworking requirements. Should be able to lockout/tagout the equipment for service and maintenance activities.

12. 1910.213(b) – Foot Pedals and Feeder Attachments
Operating treadles must be protected from unintended operation.
Feeder attachments must have feed rolls or other moving parts covered to protect operator from pinch points
Operating treadles (foot pedals) need to be covered so that they can not be accidentally operated by stepping on foot pedal unintentionally or dropping something on the foot pedal. Next slide shows a picture of this.
In-running nip points have to be covered as they do on all equipment.

13. Foot Pedal
Photo: Foot pedal for machine with cover/housing to prevent inadvertent activation

14. (c) – Hand-Fed Ripsaws
Each circular hand-fed ripsaw shall be guarded by a hood which shall completely enclose that portion of the saw above the table and that portion of the saw above the material being cut. The hood and mounting shall be arranged so that the hood will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of and remain in contact with the material being cut without considerable resistance.
Discuss with the class what is a rip cut and what is a cross cut and the hazards associated with those cuts. A rip cut is a cut across the grain of the wood. A cross cut is cutting in line with the grain of the wood. Rip cuts have more potential for a kickback of the material towards the operator or other employees.
An example of this is a table saw. A table saw will have an automatically adjusting guard. A picture is on the next slide.

15. Table Saw
Photos: two photos of the same table saw, one with blade unguarded (left) and guarded (right). The guard on the saw on the right is a self adjusting guard that adjusts based on the size of material being run through the saw.

16. (c)
Each hand-fed circular ripsaw shall be furnished with a spreader to prevent material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back on the operator.
Circular saws used for rip cuts.

17. Kickback
Kickbacks occur when a saw seizes the stock and hurls it back at the operator. This can happen when the stock twists and binds against the side of the blades or is caught in the teeth. A blade that is not sharpened, or that is set at an incorrect height, can cause kickbacks.
This can happen with many operations, but primarily with RIP cuts where the wood is being cut with the grain. The wood wants to bind back on the blade and project the scrap piece of wood back at the operator.
Discuss kickbacks from using woodworking equipment. Ask the class if they have had any experiences with kickbacks.

18. Avoiding Kickback
(c)
Each hand-fed circular ripsaw shall be provided with non- kickback fingers or dogs so located as to oppose the thrust or tendency of the saw to pick up the material or throw it back toward the operator.
How to avoid kickbacks on circular saws used for rip cuts.

19. Dogs
Photo: A rip-saw with “fingers” or “dogs” being pointed out. These are installed to help prevent kickbacks.

20. Anti-Kickback Fingers & Spreader Bar
Photos: (Left) A close up picture of anti-kickback fingers and a spreader bar on a saw. (Right) A zoomed back picture of the same saw with the anti-kickback and spreader bar with the Plexiglas adjustable guard.

21. 1910.213(d) – Hand-Fed Crosscut Table Saws
Each circular crosscut table saw shall be guarded by a hood which shall meet all the requirements of (c)(1) for hoods for circular re-saws.
This is the same guarding as discussed earlier on the table saw. The guard must be self adjusting and stay in contact with the material being run through the saw.

22. 1910.213(f) - Self-Feed Circular Saws
Guarded by a hood or guard to prevent hands of operators from coming in contact with the in-running rolls.
If self-fed saws are used for ripping, they must be equipped with anti-kickback devices (dogs).
Self feed saws are automatically fed. They will have in-running rolls which pull the stock through the saw. These in-running nip points (rolls) have to be guarded. Mention to the class that if the rollers can pull stock through the saw, then it can certainly pull a shirt, hand or other parts through the saw.
As with other saws, if used for rip cuts, they must have the anti-kickback devices installed.

23. 1910.213(g) – Swing Cut Off Saws Swing Cut Off Saws
Provided with a hood that completely covers the upper half of the blade and the arbor.
Provided with a guard that will protect the point of operation.
Must be provided with a means to return to it’s resting position
Limit chain to limit the travel beyond or behind the working table
Guarding requirements for swing cut off saws.

24. Swinging Cut Off Saw
Photos: The swing cut off saw on the left is missing a lower blade guard. The chain may not limit the travel beyond the working table. The photo on the right shows another swing cut off saw that has better guarding.

25. (h) – Radial Saws
The upper hood shall completely enclose the upper portion of the blade down to a point that will include the end of the saw arbor
The sides of the lower exposed portion of the blade shall be guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that will automatically adjust itself of the thickness of the stock and remain in contact with the stock.
Guarding requirements for radial saws.

26. 1910.213(h) – Radial Saws Examples
Photo: (Left) A properly guarded radial saw. (Right) Graphic: diagram of a radial saw with major components.
Source: OSHA Machine Guarding e-Tool (

27. (h) - Kickbacks
Each radial saw used for ripping shall be provided with non- kickback fingers or dogs located on both sides of the saw.
Radial saws have to have anti-kickbacks for rip cuts

28. (h) – Adjustable Stop
An adjustable stop shall be provided to prevent the forward travel of the blade beyond the position necessary to complete the cut in repetitive operations.
More guarding requirements for radial saws.

29. (h) – Automatic Return
Installation shall be in such a manner that the front end of the unit will be slightly higher than the rear, so as to cause the cutting head to return gently to the starting position when released by the operator.
Radial saws have to automatically return to it’s starting position. Sometimes it will have a device on it for this. Other times you will let gravity gently return it to the starting position.

30. Woodworking Machines Example 1
Photo: Unguarded radial saw. Ask the class what is missing?
Answer: Lower blade guard, upper blade guard. It doesn’t look like it goes beyond the table and we can’t tell if it automatically returns to the starting position. Don’t forget that it needs anti-kickback device if it is used for rip cuts.

31. Woodworking Machines Example 2
Photo: Radial saw with some guarding.
Ask the class what is right wrong with the radial saw in this picture?
Answer: The lower blade guard is stuck in the raised position, the saw doesn’t return to the starting position, the upper blade guard doesn’t cover the arbor, the saw comes out beyond the table.

32. Woodworking Machines Example 3
Photo: A radial saw that is mostly guarded.
Ask the class if this radial saw is properly guarded.
Answer: yes for the most part. It has an upper guard, a lower guard, anti-kickback device and doesn’t come out further than the table. We can’t tell if it automatically returns to the starting position. The lower blade is not large enough or the blade it too big for the saw.

33. 1910.213(h) – Radial Saws - Example
Photo: Unguarded radial saw
Ask the class what is wrong with this saw?
Answer: The upper guard does not come down and include the arbor, there is no lower blade guard, the saw comes out beyond the end of the table and it doesn’t return to the starting position. It does have an anti-kickback device on it for rip cuts.

34. 1910.213(h) – Radial Saws Requirements
Ripping and ploughing shall be against the direction in which the saw turns.
The direction of the saw rotation shall be conspicuously marked on the hood.
Additional radial saw requirements

35. 1910.213(i) – Band saws and Band Resaws
All portions of the saw blade (band saws) shall be enclosed or guarded, except for the working portion of the blade between the bottom of the guide rolls and the table.
Band saw guarding requirements. The guards installed are adjustable guards. Must rely on the operator for adjusting the guard based on the size of material they are cutting.

36. 1910.213(i) - Band saws Photo: Properly guarded band saw.
Note: Look under the table to ensure the blade is not accessible under the table.

37. Horizontal Bandsaw
Photo: Two pictures of a horizontal band saw. Photo on the left shows the back of the saw. The photo on the right shows the front of the saw.

38. Horizontal Bandsaw Guarded?
Unguarded horizontal band saw with metal shavings around the saw. Ask the class where this would be cited?
Answer: 29 CFR because it is used for cutting metal, not wood. This is based on the picture showing metal shavings not wood shavings. Although you would always guard woodworking equipment in accordance with the requirements in 29 CFR , you would only cite 29 CFR if it is actually used for woodworking.

39. 1910.213(j) - Jointers Jointers
Cylinder cutting head that doesn’t extend more than 1/8” from the head.
Each hand-fed jointer with a horizontal cutting head shall have an automatic guard which will cover all the section of the head on the working side of the fence or gage.
Requirements for jointers

40. Woodworking Machinery
Photo: A jointer showing the cutting head. The adjustable guard is being held open with a pen to show the cutting head (point of operation).

41. (j)
Photo: A properly guarded jointer. The guard will adjust as the material is run through the machine.

42. 1910.213(m) – Wood Shapers and Similar Equipment
The cutting heads of each wood shaper, hand-fed panel raiser, or other similar machine not automatically fed, shall be enclosed with a cage or adjustable guard so designed as to keep the operator’s hand away from the cutting edge.
Wood shaper and similar equipment guarding requirements.

43. Wood Shaper Graphic: diagram of a wood shaper and major components.
Source: OSHA’s Woodworking e-Tool:

44. Shaper With Adjustable Guard
Graphic: diagram of a shaper with an adjustable guard with arrows pointing our the based of the shaper blade, the guard and the nut for height adjustment.
Source: Concepts and Techniques of Machine Safeguarding, OSHA.

45. 1910.213(m) Double-spindle shapers
Starting and stopping device for each spindle
Double-spindle shapers requirements

46. Guard covering the cutting heads
(n) – Planing
Planers
Guard covering the cutting heads
If exhaust hood used, must be integral to the guard
Guard/hood must protect the feed rolls/in-running nip points
Guarding requirements for planers.

47. Woodworking Machinery - Planers
Photo: Properly guarded planer. The point of operation is guarded and the exhaust hood is an integral part of the guard.

48. 1910.213(o) – Wood-Turning Lathes
Cutting heads on wood-turning lathes, whether rotating or not, shall be covered as completely as possible by hoods or shields.
Photo: Lathe not guarded.

49. (o)
Wood stock held between two centers on a lathe must be protected (as much as possible) with a long curved guard extending over the top of the lathe to prevent the work from being thrown out.
If an exhaust system is used it must form an integral part of the guard.
Guarding requirements for lathes.

50. Woodworking Machinery - Lathe
Graphic: an illustration of a guard over a lathe with the operator viewing the work and wearing safety glasses.
Source: Concepts and Techniques of Machine Safeguarding, OSHA.

51. 1910.213(p) – Sanding Machines Sanding Machines
Where the sanding belt runs over rollers a guard must prevent the operator from coming into contact with the in-running nip points.
Drum sanders must be protected above the table by a guard or exhaust hood except for that portion of the sander which is necessary for the stock.
Guarding requirements for sanding machines.

52. (p) – Disk Sanders
Disk sanders must have a guard or exhaust hood enclosing the revolving disk. Allowing only enough exposure that is necessary for the application.
Guarding requirements for disk sanders.

53. (p) – Belt Sanders
Belt sanding machines shall be provided with guards at each nip point where the sanding belt runs onto the pulley.
The unused run of the sanding belt shall be guarded against accidental contact.
Guarding requirements for belt sanding machines.

54. Guarded Belt Sander? Photo: Unguarded belt sander.
Discuss with the class what this belt sander needs.
Answer: Although it does have some guards on the top to cover in-running nip points, those are probably not sufficient. Too much of the belt is accessible. Only that portion of the belt needed to perform the work should be accessible.

55. 1910.213(r) – Miscellaneous Woodworking Machines
The mention of specific machines in paragraphs (a) thru (q) and this paragraph (r) of this section, inclusive, is not intended to exclude other woodworking machines from the requirements that suitable guards and exhaust hoods be provided to reduce to a minimum the hazard due to the point of operation of such machines.
All woodworking equipment must be properly guarded regardless of whether it is specifically mentioned in 29 CFR If a hazard is present, then it must be guarded.

56. 1910.213(s) – Inspection Maintenance of Woodworking Machinery
All knives and cutting heads of woodworking machines shall be kept sharp, properly adjusted, and firmly secured. Where two or more knives are used, they shall be properly balanced.
Inspect all woodworking equipment to ensure it is in good condition, properly guarded, firmly secured and properly adjusted. Make sure knives and blades are sharp. Dull blades and knives present a hazard. They will not cut through the material easily and can break and become a projectile object.

57. 1910.213(s) – Woodworking Requirements
Arbors of all circular saws shall be free from play
Sharpening or tension of saw blades or cutters shall be done by persons of demonstrated skill
Emphasis shall be placed on the importance of cleanliness of the woodworking area.
Additional requirements for woodworking equipment and area. Wood dust can be slippery and explosive if not properly maintained.

58. 1910.213(s) – Woodworking Requirements Continued
All cracked saws shall be removed from service.
The practice of inserting wedges between the saw disk and the collar to form a “wobble saw” shall be prohibited.
Additional woodworking requirements.

59. (s)
Push sticks and push blocks shall be provided for small pieces of wood and for pushing the stock past the blade.
Photo: Push stick being used on a table saw.
Push sticks provide distance between the operator and the point of operation. It can be used to push the stock past the blade.

60. Questions?
Graphic: an x-ray of a human skull with a shard of wood penetrating the skull.