Permission (or no permission) to use Power Tools

[sanddrag]

Power tools don't hurt people. Poorly instructed people hurt themselves, using power tools.

Have formal training sessions, write up a good safety test, make everyone get 100% on the test, and make sure a mentor is present when using the tools.

The school is being silly with this policy. What do they expect when the kids get to college? At college, I can run lathes, CNC mills, roller benders, torches, plasma cutters, welders, and forklifts, all unsupervised.

[Bob Steele]

On our team we have not had to face an administrative/district challenge but then again, we didn't ask....
...better to ask forgiveness when you didn't know there was a rule... than permission....so to speak...

However, incumbent in the process is that we develop a safe way for students to interact with power tools. We have an extensive safety plan which we are implementing.

Next year a student will have to show that they know safe practices to use any tools... a simple shop safety test for most hand tools and specific tests for the smaller hand tools.

We also implemented what we call a "CUT MONITOR" The cut monitor is an adult mentor/parent that observes the set up of the more dangerous power tools including chop saws, band saws, mill, etc.

When a student is ready to make the cut he gets a mentor to observe the cut setup and the cut while it is being made. This helps to insure that someone is observing and commenting on the method and the practice. Setup is crucial.

Of course, cut monitors need to be trained too...

Any team needs to remember that all it takes to lose the privilege of working with power tools is usually ONE mistake and ONE injury.

Coupled with the possible injury and its consequences, which can be devastating to both the team and the individual, the loss of privileges and possible loss of the entire program are very real possibilities in this world of litigation.

Safety must be a PRIME directive in any team....

[Martijn]

Hi, our team is actually just down the road from yours (1414 at Atlanta International School). Although we never really had any issues of the sort, we do go through several steps to ensure the safety of all of the students on the team. We have parents sign off a release form, which has been approved by the school. Furthermore, all students go through a training program on all of the power tools prior the program, so that they all know how to use the tools properly. Finally, there is also a safety test, which all students must complete every year on general workshop safety rules. We also heard last year from the drama department (where students do set construction), that it is actually Georgia State Law to also have a safety test on file for all students who are using the power tools.
If you would like it see our release forms and/or safety test as an example, just PM me, and i will be glad to send them over.

[nlknauss]

Most schools that have an Industrial Arts or Technology Education program have classes where there should be safety exams in place. When you approach your administration, definitely present to them your plans for having both written and practical exams. Anything you do to show that your students are proficient with any piece of powered equipment should work for your administration.

Also consider where your focus needs to be when you plan the exams. I am required to give a safety exam for each individual machine or tool a student will use in my classroom. This includes everything from the table saw, drill press, band saw, and sanders down to soldering irons, x-acto knives, and other hand tools. It can be a little tedious, but it protects you and the school if something were to happen.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Roger

Lockers, chairs, doors, stairs.

Not exactly power tools...

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.

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

[tseres]

our school:
-parents sign permission form to use all the shop tools (we have 4 shops, woodworking, small engines, auto, manufacturing tech) and then teachers have a "passport" system where they demonstrate how to use the tools
-students fill out a short sheet on safety, then demonstrate tool use
-passport gets signed off, we use tools

on a similar note, it's these very forms that allow us to use tools: a kid lost half of his finger earlier this year in wood shop. the shop was closed for 4 days, then reopened. these forms work.

[Joe J.]

My advice would be to present your case to the administration, and see if they can add an exception to allow only students with proper safety training to use the tools. This may require some time investment to create a program (if you haven't already) and actually run the sessions. We are currently phasing in a level safety & tool usage program outlined here

The administration might be willing to grant your team the exception if they can see the steps you are taking to ensure nobody gets hurt.

[Roger]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Not exactly power tools...

Well, technically neither is EricH's example of computers, but they all can be just as dangerous, if not more so, than a drill or a saw. The point being, anything can be harmful if not taught to be used properly.

As Martijn said, it's Georgia state law to have a safety test on file. Since the OP is in a private school, they can extend the rule any way they want. It might be a liability or legal issue, or just another level of paperwork they don't want to get into. Go to them with your safety policy in place, to show that you are teaching safety, and see what they say. Bring parents; administration can't really ignore them as they can teachers and students.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Our students must complete a tools safety class with requisite examination before being able to touch any tool. Our sponsor also has some added restrictions when working on their property and using their tools. Since you are a private school, this would be a great oportunity to work with one of the public schools in your area that would have shop curriculums. Find out what their reguirements are and perhaps a shop teacher would be willing to give the tools safety class to your students.

[Tom Bishop]

You might try to get Underwriters Laboratories to come in and do some safety training, since they are present at the Regionals they are certainly aware of FIRST. Also have team safety training and testing, and top it off with a waiver for power tools. Come up with a plan, and present that plan to school officials. I think that if you show that you have your act together, then you have a better chance of getting this approved.

[johnr]

After you do everything stated in previous threads about safety and the school still says no,you might offer to pick up the cost of an insurance rider, if that is the issue. Split the cost among members.

[Shelbo]

I would consider the first step to find out "why" that is your school's policy. (The most likely scenario is that it involves liability insurance.) Next would be to find out all the steps necessary for getting a policy changed. It will usually include you doing the leg work, ie, researching insurance policy riders, creating release forms, lesson plans for safety, etc. When you have all the leg work done, inform the school board that you would like to speak at the next meeting regarding policy #???; this way you are put on the agenda and the board members have time to research the policy you are referring to. After your presentation, ask them to consider revising the policy. They may choose to discuss it in a closed session and will notify you by mail what compromises they are able to consider. Then at the following board meeting they will put the motion on the table and take a vote. The important thing to remember is that it won't happen overnight and you must use all the proper channels for making the change.

~Shelbo's Mom

[alex1699]

are team the kid do alllll the work mentor get to sit back and watch. and if we have a questioin we ask them.

[AAllio]

Yes, I would very much like to see these forms. You can contact me directly at andreaa@westminster.net.

Thanks, Andrea

[N7UJJ]

This thread has me thinking that we need to refocus our power tool procedures. I would also like to see the safety documents that other teams are using. Perhaps you can put a copy of them in the white paper section or post a link where I can download them? I'm sure there are others who would be reevaluating their shop procedures if these papers were available.

Thanks,

Allan