Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger
Lockers, chairs, doors, stairs.
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Not exactly power tools...
Quote:
Originally Posted by dtengineering
Surely there are schools in your district that have shops, and have developed appropriate guidlines rather than blanket bans on power tool use.
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He did state that it was a private school, so 'district' isn't really applicable.
Nevertheless, these suggestions are all good. Start with the supervising teacher(s), make sure they understand what they are trying to accomplish, and have them bring it to 'management' (the administrators of the school). Not as a confrontation, but to inform admin what it is they are seeking, and ideas on how this might possibly be accomplished.
Of course, the very highest levels of safety are mandatory. Emphasize that. Instruction, testing, parental understanding (they need to come to a meeting) and written consent are all necessary. In a case of negligence, all the signed papers in the world won't make much difference though.
In our school, we also use the concept of 'cut monitor' explained by Bob Steele. Some tools - the table saw, router, air cutoff wheel, die grinder and roto-zip most notably - are simply off limits to students. Most power tools require a cut monitor (even the sander) for all but the most experienced and skilled students - and for the saws (especially the chop saw) no exceptions.
We also instruct on hand tools, but aside from some dangerous operations, stuff like screwdrivers and wrenches, files and sandpaper are reasonably free access.
We have never had a serious injury (more than band-aid level), but we remain vigilant.
We don't test students formally, but we do supervise them closely until we see natural safety habits emerge.
Don