School Shop Policy

[Ryan Morin]

Ok. Here is an issue that that has upset me a little the past few weeks. My school has a policy due to insurance reasons that students can't operate a stationary or floor model type machines i.e. drill presses, band saw, etc., with out a certified instructor (someone who is certified to teach student how to use machines in a shop) in the room. Here's the problem WE DON'T HAVE A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR ON OUR TEAM! So that means that none of the students can use the stationary machine at anytime. But don't get me wrong I understand the reasoning behind this and that is so they don't get the blame if someone gets hurt. But my point is that I can't use that floor model of a machine but I can use the bench model of it. Now tell me if I'm wrong but I can get hurt the same ways if it's a floor or bench model. Plus I can get hurt one extra way with the bench model in that if I'm carrying it and it slips it can fall on my foot or something. But what I hate the most is that my dad (a certified machinist but not instructor so he doesn't count) gets stuck doing the simplest to the hardest of jobs on the Bridgeport or lathe all day long. Instead of one of the students doing the easy jobs while he does the hard one or teaches us how to use the machines. So here is my question to you, what is your school's policy on student and using machines?

Thanks Ryan