Shop Rules and Regulations
Overview
The Heritage Hills Woodcraft Club is part of the Heritage Hills Society. As such, it is one of the facilities available to all residents. The Society maintains its exteriors, pays for heating and electricity, and provides some interior services. The Club, in turn, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of its portion of the shop and its contents. The Club equipment has either been donated to the Club or bought by the Club and is the property of the Society. The Club owns no property or equipment.
The Club is organized and run according to terms specified in its Constitution and By-laws, which are available for inspection by any member upon request.
Membership
Only Heritage Hills residents are permitted to join the Woodcraft Club.
New members must complete an application form, sign a waiver, and obtain a copy of the Shop Rules and Regulations.
Annual dues are set by the Board of Directors. Dues are collected in June of each year.
Attendance Procedures
An attendance book is kept on the monitor’s desk at the front of the shop.
All members and guests who visit for more than a few minutes must sign in in ink, every time you enter the shop, and sign out when leaving, with first and last names written in a legible and readable manner.
Monitors
A monitor is on duty whenever the shop is opened. The monitor has the absolute authority to ensure that all tools and machines are used safely, and that members behave in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of themselves or other members.
Tools and Clean-up
The shop is equipped with a collection of hand and power tools. These tools, and many related items, are located in the tool crib, which is opened whenever the shop is opened. When these tools are used they should be returned to their proper place. No tools should leave the shop at any time.
If a tool is broken or damaged while in use, report it to the shop monitor, who in turn will report it to the Board of Directors. Similarly, if a needed item (for example, glue) appears to be in short supply, report it to the shop monitor.
Each member must clean up, leaving the area in good order for the next member. The shop has no full-time janitor and depends on every member to keep it in good order through mutual cooperation.
When you leave the shop, the workbenches and machines should be cleaned and cleared for the next person. Members are requested to put work, either in progress or finished, in the crib in the designated spaces — both for safety’s sake and so that it is not in the way of members working in the shop.
Prohibitions Spray painting is prohibited in the shop. No pressure treated wood impregnated with toxic materials, such as CCA pressure-treated wood or lead painted wood, may be worked in the shop.
Guests are not permitted to use the shop facility or to engage in any work activity while in the shop. Minors (whether residents of Heritage Hills or not) are not allowed in the shop at any time for safety and insurance reasons.
The Woodcraft Club is a hobby club. The Board retains the right to make a determination as to whether a member is making unreasonable use of the shop and equipment for personal gain.
Donations
Clubs and organizations at Heritage Hills who benefit from wood shop projects are expected to make a donation to the Woodcraft Club.
Keys
Keys to the shop are controlled by the Club Board of Directors and are
issued to monitors in good standing. Monitors who are entrusted with these
keys are required to comply with the following:
- Keys are not to be duplicated
- Keys are not to be loaned or given to anyone else
- Keys are to be returned to the Board if the monitor resigns or is no longer a resident of Heritage Hills, or if the monitor is asked to resign by the Board.
Violation of any of the key policies stated above will result in the loss of monitor status and recall of the keys by the Board.
Safety
Safe Use of Tools
The shop is equipped with power tools, all of which are potentially dangerous. Observe all safety regulations posted at each individual piece of shop equipment. If not familiar with the equipment, do not attempt operation without the assistance of a shop monitor.
Face shields and/or safety glasses (goggles) must be used when operating power tools. Dust masks must be used during all sanding operations.
All members should be acquainted the locations of all exits, the location and use of fire extinguishers, “emergency off’ switches, and all first aid kits
All members should be acquainted with the locations of all master “emergency power off” switches.
No member may operate power tools while wearing dangling or loose jewelry (earrings, bracelets, necklaces, large rings, etc.). Avoid loose or baggy sleeves that could be caught in moving parts. Open toe shoes and sandals are prohibited. Protective, “reinforced toe” shoes are recommended.
Buddy Rule
No one is permitted to use power tools when alone in the shop. This includes all floor-mounted and certain hand-held power tools. A monitor and one other club member must be present.