Member must identify these common hazards, and demonstrate they know how to avoid them:
Kickback or pull-in due to improper feed direction and/or workholding
Entanglement due to lack of observance of personal safety (long hair, long sleeves, braceletsbracelets, rings etc)
Finger contact with the cutting bit
Flying splinters and other debris
Ejection of the router bit and/or workpiece due to improper installation and workholding
Sawdust inhalation - respiratorrespirator/mask required
Noise - hearing protection required
Machine damage - router bit collision with table and/or clamps
Sudden movement of the table - wheels must be locked
Pinch hazard - in the linkage / slide
Materials
Member must demonstrate knowledge of which materials are allowed and which materials are prohibited. Member knows where to look for the complete list of allowed and prohibited materials.
Wood and plastics areis permitted
No lead-painted materials are allowed due to toxic dust.
Reclaimed materials must be checked thoroughly for nails and other metal inclusions
Metals are prohibited (spark / ignition risk)
All glue and resin must be fully cured (causes damage to table & bits)
Usage
Member demonstrates how to safely set up, use, and clean up after use, including:
Checking all of the lock levers to ensure they're tight
Selecting and installing a template and guide bearing
Adjusting the angle, miter, and position of the workpiece and clamping it
Setting the depth of the cut (aligning the wood/table while the router is at its depth limit)
Connecting/disconnecting a vacuum to the dust port
Starting the router, waiting for speed, adjusting the RPMs, and initiating a cut
Identifying the correct direction to travel when routing (always conventional, neveravoid climb)
BrushingSweeping and sweepingvaccuming machine surfaces and the surrounding area
Trashing unusable material and scrapping usable material
Putting away all accessories in the cart after use
Locking the machine at max depth (farthest from table) after use
Knowledge and Technique
The member must be able to demonstrate:
Keeping a firm grip on the handle while the tool is running
Not over-tightening templates (strips out the threads)
Keeping fingers out of the table angle guide while adjusting (pinch hazard)
Transitioning between interior and exterior use of the template (retracting and placing the guide bearing)
Making several passes into the wood rather than trying to cut the full depth in one go
Commitment to always unplug the router before adjusting/removing/replacing the router bit
Understanding the symptoms of the router being overloaded with excessive feed pressureKeen awareness of the presence and running state of the router bit at all times
Being aware of where other people are
Knowledge of issues that cause kickback and tearout of the workpiece
Identifying and fixing drift in cutting bit during use
Commitment to always use a vacuum while operating the router (dust mitigation)
Commitment to wait for the router to spin down before walking away, always ensure it's fully stopped
Commitment to not create/install custom templates without advanced instruction
Whenever possible, setting the router bit max depth so it's not over the top surface of the table
