Safety in the Wood Manufacturing Industry

Wood manufacturing is a dangerous enterprise. Wood manufacturing machines can rip, tear and cut flesh, so extreme care must be taken when working, or even visiting, facilities that produce wood products. Wood production also produces airborne particles that can be dangerous to respiration, eyes and skin.

Machine Guarding

• Woodworking machines have guards that protect the operator's hands, fingers and other body parts from entering blades, gears, rollers or any device feeding lumber into any machine. These guards are sometimes removed, rendered useless by the operator or simply ignored. It is vital that all guards be in working order and used in the manner designed. If a workable guard is not in place, or did not come with any woodworking machine, a custom guard must be manufactured and put in place.

Emergency Switch

• Every woodworking machine must have an emergency switch. It must be situated within easy reach of the operator's hand. It should be a large, red mushroom shaped button with the word, "emergency" clearly marked near the button. In the case of the operator's hand or clothing getting caught in the machine, the emergency button is used to instantly stop the machine.

Lock-out

• Law requires that emergency locks be authorized to each person who will be using a particular wood-manufacturing machine. These personal locks have the operators name on them, and she is the only person that has the key to the lock. When working on any wood-manufacturing machine, the worker must place their lock on the machines power supply, locking the machine in the "off" position. The person who put the lock on the machine can only remove the lock. This is to prevent the machine from accidentally being turned on while someone is working on it.

Loose Clothing

• One of the biggest safety problems in the lumber manufacturing business has always been loose clothing, hair, jewelry, and any other personal items that can catch and pull the operator into the machine. All loose clothing must be tucked in or wrapped securely. Loose gloves are discouraged or prohibited entirely. Hair must be kept tied back or a hard hat must be worn in some cases. Jewelry such as rings, necklaces are discouraged or prohibited entirely.

Eyes

• Lumber manufacturing is prone to eye injuries from flying chips, sawdust and machines that grind rip and tear at lumber. Guards are not sufficient to catch the small projectile splinters, knots, nails and rocks that saws and planers sometimes hit. It is crucial that safety glasses always be worn before entering any wood manufacturing facility.

Dust and Noise

• Wood manufacturing creates dust. Even though all machines should be equipped with dust collection devices, they are never sufficient to catch tiny airborne fibers that can damage lungs. Dust masks, although not always required, should always be worn in the presence of lumber manufacturing. Wood manufacturing is extremely loud. Ear protection should always be worn.