Woodshop – Policies and Procedures

Location

Kresge Ford Building Rooms: B 111-113

Shop Hours

Monday-Friday – 8:30am-11:30am, 12:30pm-6:45pm, 7:15pm-10:00pm
Saturday – 12:30pm to 7pm Sunday 12:00pm-7pm

*Shop Sanitizing and Cleaning will occur from 11:30am-12:30pm and 6:45pm-7pm daily*

Holiday and review week hours vary and will be posted on the woodshop doors and blackboard.

Shop Access Privileges

  • Students must pass prerequisite courses which currently include DFN 116 Design Techniques, DFN 132 Model Making, DWD 180 Beginning Woodworking, or DWD 185 Beginning Wood Furniture with a 2.0 / “C” or higher to enter the shop. This is entry-level access and does exclude the use of many tools.
  • There are a limited number of seats available (10) and must be reserved through webcheckout prior to arrival – https://ccs.webcheckout.net/patron#!/
  • Reserved time slots scheduled must be cancelled if they aren’t going to be utilized.  Three time slots reserved without utilization will result in revocation of shop privileges. 
  • Scheduled classes are given priority – *based on the number of students there may not be seats available*
  • Masks, safety glasses, and sanitizing are MANDATORY- hearing protection is encouraged
  • Mandatory safety orientation is required for faculty to instruct students in the shop.
  • Shop usage is a privilege that can be revoked if school or shop policies are violated.
  • Revocation must be reconciled with the Shop Manager.

Classes in The Woodshop

  • The instructor must remain in the shop with their class.
  • If the instructor needs to leave for any reason, please inform the shop technician/manager of this intention.
  • The instructor must inform the class of all safety issues including clothing and safety equipment. They must also monitor the classes adherence to shop guidelines and turn away any student that does not comply.
  • The woodshop staff are not instructional teachers, all faculty are responsible for teaching their students the tools and techniques they expect their students to use in the execution of their projects. Faculty that are not capable of teaching specific techniques need to modify the projects to reflect their skills or give themselves an ample amount of time to learn the skills that they wish to pass on their students. Mandatory Safety Orientation is available at the beginning of each semester and arrangements can be made with John Rizzo @ 7682.
  • The instructor must check the schedule and respect classes that are scheduled in the wood shop. Students must know that if they are out of class and working in the shop (and there is a class scheduled) they must check with the instructor to see if they can work and understand that the class has priority. This involves giving priority use of tools that are in high demand.
  • Shop technicians and work-study are not necessarily qualified to teach faculty and students proper equipment operation.
  • Technicians are not allowed to complete work for students or faculty.
  • Faculty must notify shop managers if they wish to instruct their classes in the shop and must make arrangements with John Rizzo @ 7682 and fill out the Academic Project Form. Classes held in the woodshop the entire semester must be scheduled through Colleague.

First Aid

  • Report EVERY accident to the shop technician, manager or instructor immediately.
  • First aid supplies are available for students and faculty and are located in sink areas.
  • Severe injury should be handled in these steps:
  • Assess the situation-make sure that it is safe for you to approach.
    Call Campus Safety -7444- and request 911 Emergency Assistance – ask them to escort the EMS personnel to the proper location.
    Administer first aid if you are trained to do so.
  • Recommend the student seek medical attention regardless of the injury.
  • Always file an incident report with campus safety to document the accident.
  • If the person does not want to wait for EMS; there are several hospitals in the vicinity:
    • Henry Ford Hospital – Grand River- west of the Lodge Freeway.
    • DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital – Saint Antoine- south of Warren.
    • Harper Hospital – John R. – south of Warren.
    • Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak) – 13 Mile Rd. -west of Woodward.
    • Oakwood Hospital (Dearborn) – Oakwood Ave. -Oakwood Ave. exit Westbound I-94 -go north on Oakwood.
    • *Emergency rooms outside of tend to provide quicker service*
  • CCS employees are advised not to transport anyone to the hospital due to possibilities of complications or other unforeseen events.
  • Blood Borne Pathogens should be seriously considered when administering first aid treatments…these include HIV viruses that cause AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C viruses.

    • To Protect yourself, Universal Precautions must be observed. Universal precautions mean treating all human blood/fluids as if it was infected, regardless of the person who is injured. It is essential to wear gloves when contact is possible. If a blood spill occurs, notify the shop manager, instructor or shop technician immediately.
  • Unless you have opted out upon registration, all CCS students have accident insurance. Students have 90 days after receiving treatment to turn in the bill with a claim form. Claim forms are available in the Office of Student Life. The insurance company will evaluate the bill and make a payment. The entire amount may not be covered by insurance and students will be responsible for the remaining balance. If students have additional health insurance, they can submit the outstanding bill to that company who may or may not pay the balance. All students with questions regarding insurance should be referred to Dan Long at 313.664.7675 or dlong@collegeforcreativestudies.edu.

Environment

  • Safety glasses and masks are MANDATORY.
  • Sanitize hands prior to entering as well as frequently while working.
  • Appropriate clothing and closed toe shoes (no high heels) must be worn.
  • No horseplay allowed.
  • Pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of others. Always look around and at the machine before you start cutting or sanding. Someone may be working or walking in your path.
  • Please hang coats and store book bags out of walkways.
  • No headphones or other personal listening devises. It is important that you are aware of your surroundings and that you can hear potentially dangerous situations.
  • Do not cut through the shop to get somewhere else or exit the building except in emergencies. 
  • Use dust collection – Tools capable should be hooked to vacuums for use as well as downdraft tables. When dust levels are high, a dust mask is recommended.

Housekeeping

  • Students and faculty must return all tools to the cabinets and clean up debris on the shop table and floor.
  • When possible sanitize tools before using and before returning them.
  • Do not use the air hoses to blow dust off dust. Dangerous particles can remain airborne for up to three days. Use vacuums for this.
  • Sweep up any dust and place large scrap material in the designated scrap area. Small scrap should be placed in garbage bins.
  • Be Patient. Always let machine come to a complete stop before removing scraps.
  • Daily clean up starts fifteen minutes before closing. Please help us by stopping work and helping clean up and sanitize tools you have used.

Material Storage

  • All material needs to be clearly labeled with the student’s name and semester.
  • All material should be kept in assigned areas. Please do not store material in corners, under radiators or leave on tables.
  • At the end of each semester, all remaining materials will become property of the woodshop.
  • Do not leave projects on tables overnight.
  • All large projects should be discussed with John Rizzo @ 7682.

Tool Usage

  • Seek Instruction and advice whenever needed. Never use a tool that you have not received specific instruction on the proper and safe use by instructors or shop staff.
  • Never force a tool into the material or vice versa. Every tool has an appropriate speed and rate of feed.
  • Pay attention to your body mechanics. Always stand with both feet firmly planted on the floor and in a position that will allow you to deal with operations appropriately. Never lean or sit on a tool.
  • Pay attention to fingers and keep them out of the line to be cut.
  • Use all or of your senses when using tools. Listen if the tool sounds ‘wrong’ (squeals, knocks), watch if the tool jumps or labors, and smell if the tool is off-putting unusual scent.  If any of these situations arise, Stop! You may be using it incorrectly or there may be a problem with the tool. Please notify shop staff or an instructor immediately.
  • Use the right tool for the job. Ask if you are uncertain. Do not force a tool or attachment into a use it cannot accomplish.
  • Secure work with table vise, bar clamps, etc.
  • Do not start motors with the blades touching the material.
  • Do not cut small pieces on circular saws. Always keep hands at least 6″ away from circular blades. Clamp small pieces or create a jig or hold-down.
  • Never leave tool running unattended.
  • Do not perform set-up, layout or adjust settings with machine running. Turn the machine on only when ready to perform operations.
  • Always check machine settings before use. The previous user may have left the settings wrong or loose. Always reset the tool to its zero position when done.
  • Reduce the risk of unintentional starting. Make sure switch is in “OFF” position before plugging in power cords.
  • Be cautious that the free end of a cut will not bind with the blade after the cut.
  • Make cuts with slow steady feed. Do not try to cut too quickly or abruptly. Always be prepared to stop the cut. 
  • Observe correct direction of feed. Feed into a blade or cutter against the direction of rotation of the blade or cutter only.
  • Do not use machine tables as work spaces.
  • Concentrate when using power tools! They can be very dangerous to you and those around you. It is very important that you are paying attention and following proper safety protocol.

Material Use

  • Do not cut irregularly shaped, warped, or split wood (this includes cutting rough lumber on the table saw) The wood must be milled first and sit flat against the saw’s table and fence when using the table saw.
  • No reclaimed or found materials allowed.
  • If uncertain about using a material in the wood shop always ask first.
  • Do not cut material containing nails, inclusions, or other foreign materials. Metal can instantly cause sparks, and become dangerous projectiles.
  • Use caution when cutting through knots. Knots can often fragment unpredictably, turning into dangerous projectiles.
  • Carbon fiber and fiberglass are not allowed in the shop. Tooling/sanding of these materials will release harmful fibers into the air and are prohibited.
  • No treated lumber.
  • No lead. Do not use any materials containing lead based paints. If you are unsure about the composition of the painted materials, it will be assumed that the paint is lead based.

Tool Check Out

  • There is NO tool check out in the Woodshop.
  • You must receive special permission to remove a tool from the shop.
  • If permission is granted, you are responsible for the tools that you check out. If equipment is lost, stolen or damaged while it is under your care, you are responsible for the replacement.

Tool Maintenance

  • Do not use dull or damaged blades. If the cut is difficult, stop cutting and alert the shop staff.
  • Please do not attempt to fix tools. 
  • If you think there is a problem with any equipment, notify staff or student technician.

Spray Booth

There is one seat at a time available and must be reserved through webcheckout – https://ccs.webcheckout.net/patron#!/

  • Do not use spray booth unless exhaust is running. Notify Shop personnel if exhaust is not operational.
  • Mix and leave all substances with harmful vapors in spray booth until fully cured or catalyzed. This includes paint, bondo (auto body fillers), spot putty, contact adhesives, etc.
  • Do not bring electric cords, power tools, or work lamps into the spray booth. These may produce sparks which can ignite flammable materials.
  • Spray paint must not be stored in the spray booth. Any cans left in booth will be disposed of.
  • Do not test paint on walls.
  • Use drying rack for drying projects. Do not leave projects on spray tables.
  • Spray in designated areas only.