Program Summary
Applies to:
This program applies to all departments that have a work area with fixed metal or wood-working machinery where the primary function is to fabricate or machine materials or parts. Typical shops have three or more pieces of fixed machinery and at least one employee who uses or oversees the shop. Common shop equipment includes: band saws, table saws, radial saws, mills, lathes, drill presses, bench grinders, polishers/buffers/sanders, planers/jointers, power presses, thermo-forming equipment, and welding and cutting equipment. 
If the area is not considered a "shop", but a few pieces of machinery are present, machine-specific requirements for safe use still apply.
With regard to construction work, the program does not cover temporary worksites with equipment placed to conduct on-site construction activities. Those portable pieces of equipment will be covered by this program at the location where they are stored when not in use.
Requirements:
- Departments must designate one or more persons to serve as the Machine Shop Coordinator to implement program requirements for the department. Typically, the shop supervisor is appointed "coordinator".
- The designated Shop Coordinator must establish shop policy regarding hours of operation, appropriate apparel and any other shop-specific policies or procedures.
- Shop Coordinators must ensure that all personnel using the shop equipment have been instructed in safe operating procedures (i.e. hands-on training) and are aware of specific personal protective equipment requirements. User training shall be documented.
- Operator's Manuals for each piece of machinery shall be available. All machinery shall be used and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
- Shop Coordinators must ensure that all machinery is in safe and proper working order when in use.
- A preventative maintenance program for each machine is highly recommended.
- Shop Coordinators shall perform a quarterly shop inspection to identify and correct existing or potential hazards.
- EHS shall audit shops at least annually.
- Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) may inspect shops. If a citation is issued, violations shall be corrected by the responsible department within the time frame specified. EHS shall coordinate citation responses.
- Shop Coordinators must attend (and maintain current) the following safety training from EHS (at a minimum):