#1 - Eye protection - ALWAYS wear a full face shield (or full fit goggles). Sparks, metal slivers, and grit can go right around glasses.
#2 - Lung protection - Wear a filtering mask or a positive pressure respirator. For short term class use, a painting filter mask would be acceptable.
#3 - Hand protection - While opinions vary, I like wearing the knit cotton mesh metal working gloves when grinding. The belt is a moving abrasive surface, just like the road is when cycling You wear gloves for both things to protect the fingers when the hand accidentally bumps the belt/road. This is very different from a rotating tool. Instruct the class that gloves are NEVER to be worn on rotating tools like drills, mills, and lathes.
#4 - Pinch point areas - NEVER put your hand or fingers behind the belt under any circumstance. A finger that goes around a contact or guide wheel will come out the other side in a very different condition.
#5 - Fire Safety - Where are those sparks going? Remove all easily flammable objects and liquids from around the grinders. (paper, cardboard, solvents, etc.) All wood dust and shavings from working wood must be vacuumed up before working steel in the same area.
#6 - General Safety - Work with a clean area around the grinder. Don't leave things on the floor where you or someone couldd trip and accidentally grab a running grinder to catch their fall. Don't use tools while affected by drugs or alcohol. Take a bathroom break before starting. You don't want to be distracted by needing to pee.
Don't use tools when tired, mad/upset, impaired, or distracted. Radios, I-pods, ear buds, etc. should not be used when grinding or using shop tools.
#7 - Think Safety - Before turning on a tool, look around to make sure there is nothing that will become a flying object when the tool is turned on. (something sitting on the belt or leaning against the contact wheel. A chuck key in a drill press, etc.). Look at power cords, the condition and settings on the tool, and for any other issues. Look at the people around you. There should be no one close enough to impede your safe working of the tool. If someone is using a tool unsafely near you, don't work that station. Tell the shop teacher or safety monitor immediately. If the person will listen to you, explain why they are being unsafe and show them the right way to use the tool.
#8 Equipment Safety - Know how the tool works. Respect the power of the tool (If it can grind steel, think what it will do to flesh). Never by-pass or disable any safety device. Never run the tool with any of the safety shields or devices removed or disconnected.
#9 - Other things to be aware of - Good lighting is important. If you can't see clearly, you can't work safely.
The edge of the belt will cut like a moving knife blade. This is especially true of the finer belts. The item being ground may form sharp edges that will cut you while working the metal. Knock off all sharp edges before the get you. Knife blades can get very sharp in profiling on low grit wheels. If that happens grind the edge back a millimeter to remove the sharp edge. Have a good grip on the item being ground. Use a grinding magnet if needed( I use one all the time). Stand with your feet apart at shoulder width.Tuck your elbows in to your sides (not out like chicken wings).
