Bandsaw Awareness Reminder

Bandsaw Awareness Reminder Potential Hazards ►A bandsaw can be hazardous when improperly used. Incidents could include electric shock, fire, or personal injury. Solutions ► The following general precautions should be observed by band saw users:                            Do not use this band saw for other than its intended use. Always wear approved safety glasses/face shields while using this band saw. Everyday eyeglasses only have impact resistant lenses; they are not safety glasses. Before operating this band saw, remove tie, rings, watches and other jewelry, and roll sleeves up past the elbows. Remove all loose clothing and confine long hair. Non-slip footwear or anti-skid floor strips are recommended. Do not wear gloves. Wear ear protectors (plugs or muffs) during extended periods of operation. Some dust created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and other construction activities contain chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm, including lead from lead based paint, crystalline silica from bricks, cement and other masonry products, and arsenic and chromium from chemically treated lumber. Work in a well-ventilated area and work with approved safety equipment, such as face or dust masks that are specifically designed to filter out microscopic particles. Do not operate this machine while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any medication. Make certain the switch is in the OFF position before connecting the machine to the power supply. Make certain the machine is properly grounded. Make all machine adjustments or maintenance with the machine unplugged from the power source. Remove adjusting keys and wrenches. Form a habit of checking to see that keys and adjusting wrenches are removed from the machine before turning it on. Keep safety guards in place at all times when the machine is in use. If removed for maintenance purposes, use extreme caution and replace the guards immediately. Make sure the band saw is firmly secured to the floor or bench before use. Check damaged parts. Provide for adequate space surrounding work area and non-glare, overhead lighting. Keep the floor around the machine clean and free of scrap material, oil and grease. Make your workshop child proof with padlocks, master switches or by removing starter keys. Give your work undivided attention. Looking around, carrying on a conversation and “horse-play” are careless acts that can result in serious injury. Maintain a balanced stance at all times so that you do not fall or lean against the blade or other moving parts. Do not overreach or use excessive force to perform any machine operation. Use the right tool at the correct speed and feed rate. Use recommended accessories; improper accessories may be hazardous. Maintain tools with care. Keep blade sharp and clean for the best and safest performance. Make sure the work piece is held firmly against the rip fence or miter gauge as it is fed through the blade. Turn off the machine before cleaning. Use a brush or compressed air to remove chips or debris. Do not stand on the machine. Serious injury could occur if the machine tips over. Never leave the machine running unattended. Remove loose items and unnecessary work pieces from the area before starting the machine. Proper Training on Safety Awarness for each piece of equipment should be documented in the Training Log