Our Safety Philosophy

The most important tool in our shop is you and your mindset. The Safety Committee encourages every member to regularly review key safety attitudes crucial for working in any shop. Remember, personal responsibility for your own safety is paramount at the Guild and in your personal workshop. 

With many new woodworkers joining us each month, it’s especially vital to reinforce safety principles. Seasoned woodworkers also benefit from consistently refreshing these critical attitudes. 

• Focus: Give the task your full attention. Distractions can lead to errors. If your mind is elsewhere, it’s best to step away and return when you can give your full attention.
• Strength: This isn’t about muscle. You need the courage to always follow established procedures, even when you feel pressure to take shortcuts.
• Time: Take the necessary time to do things correctly. Always use proper guards and PPE. Is saving a few minutes truly worth a lifelong injury?
• Responsibility: Your safety is in your hands. You must take personal responsibility for following safety procedures.
• Risk: Woodworking involves inherent risks. Be smart and avoid unnecessary risks. Never gamble with your well-being. A one-in-a-thousand risk is never worth the potential cost.

Essential Safety Gear (PPE)

Protecting yourself is crucial. We recommend the following personal protective equipment (PPE) in the shop:

• Eye Protection: ANSI Z87.1 rated safety glasses with side shields are mandatory whenever you are in our shop and power equipment is in use.

• Hearing Protection: We recommend earmuffs with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 25 or higher to protect against long-term hearing damage.

• Dust Protection: A half-mask respirator with P100 particulate filters is a great choice to protect your lungs from fine wood dust.

Storm Shelter Information

Always check the weather before you come to the shop. If a tornado siren sounds while you are at the shop, our designated storm shelters are the bathrooms and the nearby Training storage area. If there's a smaller group, use the bathrooms. During larger events like Guild meetings, both areas provide the best protection.

Our Library

The Guild's library is a fantastic resource for all members. With a collection of over 3,100 books, 200 videos, and a wealth of magazines, you can study techniques and find inspiration for your next project.

Members can check out materials for up to two months. We have a digital system that makes it easy to check materials in and out using your member badge. Click here to search our collection on the computers at the Guild or remotely from home.

Project Storage

If you glue up a project and want to leave it overnight (24 hours), mark the project with your name, phone number and date, or leave your badge with it. Talk to the foreman on duty about where to leave it. If you do not return the next day, others may feel free to remove the clamps for their own use

For members who need dedicated space for long-term projects or materials, we offer storage rentals on a first-come, first-served basis:

• Pricing: Spaces are rented for a monthly fee based on square footage, with different rates for various sizes and locations. Check with our Storage Coordinator for pricing for a specific space.
• Payment: Rental fees are due at the beginning of the calendar year and are invoiced separately from your membership.
• Liability: Please note that all stored items are at the owner's risk. The Guild does not assume liability for loss or damage due to fire, flood, or theft.

For more information and to check availability, please contact our Storage Coordinator at storage@kcwg.net