OSHA Woodworking Training Requirements

The American National Standards Institute standard 01.1-1961 requires all woodworkers to receive safety training before operating woodworking machinery. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reinforces this requirement with federal regulation 29 CFR 1926.304. OSHA also provides additional publications to assist employers conduct a comprehensive safety training program for woodworkers.

Proper Equipment Operation

• Proper equipment operation training includes knowledge of the machine’s capabilities and limitations, proper use of the machine’s safety devices such as guides and push blocks and keeping your hands away from the cutting tools when energized.

  Other equipment operation subjects include not wearing loose clothing and jewelry when operating power tools and not using damaged tools such as a cracked saw blade or bent drill bit.

Electrical and Maintenance Hazards

• Employees are required to receive training to recognize and avoid electrical and maintenance hazards. To avoid electrical hazards, equipment has to be properly grounded and all cords and plugs must be in good condition. All circuit breakers have to be clearly labeled to indicate their purpose. Emergency stop switches, also known as a panic bar or dead man switch, cannot be bypassed or inoperative.

  Employees must be trained to recognize and avoid maintenance hazards. Equipment is required to have a lockout/tagout system in place to avoid accidental power up when maintenance workers are repairing or maintaining the equipment. Workers must know lockout/tagout procedures.

Environmental Hazards and Personal Protective Equipment

• Environmental hazards in a woodworking environment include wood dust, potential for a fire, excessive noise, flying debris, vibration and chemical exposure. Employees are trained to recognize and avoid these hazards by keeping the work area as clean as possible and by using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

  Wood dust can create a respiratory hazard and a fire hazard. Dust collection with a vacuum system is generally the simplest method to reduce these hazards. Employees are trained to properly use a respirator mask to prevent dust inhalation.

  Equipment noise dampening devices and placement of equipment can reduce noise significantly. Workers are also required to wear ear plugs or earmuffs.

  Eye injuries are often permanent and employees are taught the importance of wearing eye and face protection against flying debris.

  Excessive vibration can cause serious, long-term injuries. Workers are trained to recognize symptoms such as tingling, numbness and pain in their fingers, hands and arms. Operators are taught to keep their hands warm and to not grip the machine too tightly.

  Some wood finishes and stains produce hazardous fumes. Employees are trained to recognize the symptoms of exposure and how to wear the appropriate respirator to avoid injury.