Student Shop Safety is not difficult. The equipment can cause serious injury or death if proper safety procedures are not followed.
Safety requires following a few basic safety practices to insure a safe, productive and enjoyable machine shop experience. The LSA Student machine shop provides classes that instruct basic machine tool operation and more importantly, basic safety procedures for personnel at all levels. Access will be denied if proper safety practices are not followed. Please note that most violations are related to ATTIRE or WORKING ALONE.
Basic Safety
Proper Attire
1. Safety Glasses…Required
a. Safety glasses are required for all operators or visitors
b. Safety glasses will be provided at the entrance of the student shop.
c. It is recommended that you buy your own safety glasses if you intend to spend much time in the shop. There are many styles to choose from and are available from most hardware and home improvement stores.
2. Long Pants…Required for leg protection.
3. Closed toe shoes…Required.
a. Sandals are not allowed.
b. Sandals with socks are not considered closed toe shoes… Not allowed.
4. No loose or baggy clothing that can entangle in rotating machinery. Required.
5. Apron…Optional recommended for protecting your clothing and enabling you to work without destroying your nice clothing.
6. Hearing protection…Recommended.
a. Anytime any sound level makes you the slightest bit uncomfortable, your body is telling you that you need hearing protection…USE IT. Earplugs are cheap and easy to wear.
7. Inhalation protection.
a. Several operations in the machine shop require dust masks or respirators. Grinding or sanding machines being used for large scale projects require dust masks. Some sawing operations require dust mask protection.
b. The machining of toxic substances requires respirators. Examples of toxic substances include, but are not limited to lead, some plastics, some wood products, some ceramics, some painted surfaces and many other things. If you are in doubt, ask your supervisor or were the respirator.
c. MSDS information should be reviewed and taken into consideration.
Personal Adjustments to meet proper attire requirements
1. Long hair has to be tied back or restrained in a hairnet or hat. Required.
2. No long beards of facial hair…Required.
3. Jewelry on the hands or neck not permitted…Required.
4. No neckwear permitted…Required.
Safety Training
1. Safe work in a shop environment means that you understand 3 things.
a. NEVER EVER WORK ALONE.
b. The basic safety principals that you just read.`
c. The basics of operating the machinery, apparatus or hand tool techniques. If you do not understand how to operate a piece of equipment, stop and ask. That’s what we are here for!
2. There are just 2 ways to gain access the student shop.
a. GET CERTIFIED…Take the” Basics of Machine Shop Safety and Operation” class. It requires about 20 hours of your time and upon successful completion, you should be able to work safely in most any shop environment.
b. GET CERTIFIED…Demonstrate to the Student Shop Safety Instructor that you understand the basics of safety and safe equipment operation.
