Jointer Safety

Summary of safe Operating Procedures for the Jointer (printable version)
 Check the depth of cut before turning the jointer on.
 Adjust depth of cut to less than 1/32 in. for material with knots, 1/16 in. for clear material.
 Jointing of used or recycled lumber is prohibited without special permission
 Do not joint stock less than 12 inches long.
 Do not edge joint material less than 1/4 inch thick.
 Do not face joint material less than 3/8 inches thick.
 Use push blocks, and push sticks to keep your hands well away from the cutterhead
 Do not remove or disable the blade guard.
 Always examine the condition of the stock and evaluate the grain direction, warp, twist, burl, swirl, kink, and cup.
 Allow the cutterhead to reach full speed before starting a cut.
 Run wood through the jointer with the edge grain sloping down to the right as you face the jointer, whenever possible
 Begin the cut with downward force on the in-feed table and then gradually transfer downward force to the out-feed table. Do not press down immediately over the cutterhead.
 When straightening a cupped piece of stock, always have the concave side down & the humped side up. It may take several passes to get a smooth surface.
 Do not face joint material with your thumb or fingers on the end. Use a push pad
 When edge jointing material less than 6” wide, use a push stick or push pad.
 Stand to one side of the jointer and position your stance to allow you to walk through with the board.
 If you are jointing long or heavy stock, make sure you have help or use a stand to support the work
 Do not back your work out of the cut; keep going in the direction of the out feed table.
 Do not walk away from the jointer until it is off and the cutterhead has stopped turning.