Tools and Machines

Usage and Safety Policy

Grades 6,7,8
 

This policy has been developed to keep the community of parents, teachers, and administrators in Franklin informed of our students’ experiences in the middle school technology and engineering classes.  It includes the following:

·   Overview

·   Plan for scheduled updates

·   Learning standards from the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework Grades 6-8

·   Comprehensive inventory of tools and machines used in each of the three middle schools

·   Classroom Expectations for Tool and Machine Usage

·   Student/Parent/Teacher Agreement

Overview

A portion of the technology and engineering curriculum in the middle schools includes the safe and proper use of basic tools and machines.  The lessons and activities presented in class are based directly on the specific learning standards in the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Science and Technology/Engineering.

A daily commitment is made to providing our students with the safest possible environment for lessons involving tools and machines.  While direct student experience with this equipment is the preferred path to mastery, some parents may wish to exclude their child from these activities due to a concern for safety.  In these cases, the student will be provided with alternate activities with expectations that they will be able to identify each tool and machine in the lesson and describe its proper use.  Actual usage of this equipment will not be required for successful completion of lessons on tools and machines.

Each student will be provided with a list of safety expectations, and a student signature will be requested to show an understanding of and an earnest intent to follow the expectations.  These expectations will also be provided to parents of all students.  A parent’s signature will be requested to confirm an understanding of the expectations being placed on their son/daughter in technology/engineering classes.

Plan for Scheduled Updates

This policy document will be updated and revised each school year to provide for additions to tools and machines in the classrooms, changes in current practices, modifications to classroom expectations, and/or revisions to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework.  Changes may also be made at any time during the school year if additional safety concerns should arise. 

Learning Standards from the Massachusetts Department of Education Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework for Grades 6 through 8

1. Materials, Tools, and Machines

Broad Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines enable us to solve problems, invent, and construct.

1.1           Given a design task, identify appropriate materials (e.g., wood, paper, plastic, aggregates, ceramics, metals, solvents, adhesives) based on specific properties and characteristics (e.g., weight, strength, hardness, and flexibility).

1.2           Identify and explain appropriate measuring tools, hand tools, and power tools used to hold, lift, carry, fasten, and separate, and explain their safe and proper use.

1.3           Identify and explain the safe and proper use of measuring tools, hand tools, and machines (e.g., band saw, drill press, sanders, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, tape measure, screws, nails, and other mechanical fasteners) needed to construct a prototype of an engineering design.

Comprehensive Inventory of Tools and Machines

Each of the three middle schools has acquired a slightly different collection of tools and machines as needed for the coverage of the learning standards and to accommodate projects that reflect the respective teacher’s needs.   Also, each middle school was established at a different time, resulting in the differences among the tool inventories in each school. 

The following list reflects tool an inventory of tools that are common to each school and a separate list of additional tools that are found in each school.

Tool Inventory (Common to Each School)

Hand Tools

Screwdriver: Flat, Phillips

Hammer: carpenter’s claw, mechanic’s ball pein

Pliers, assorted - Vice Grips

Wrenches, assorted

Drill: hand-driven

Saw: wood, hack, keyhole, miter box, coping

File, Rasp, Abrasives

Hand Stapler, gun-type

Chisel, wood

Tin Snips, Shears

Utility/Exacto Blades

Bench-mounted Vice, Clamp, assorted

Measuring Tools

Carpenter’s Square

Level: liquid bubble type

Measuring Tape

Straight Edge, assorted

Power Tools

Cordless Drill/Driver

Palm Sander

Drill Press (8” Bench Mounted)

Hot Glue Gun

Soldering Iron

Additional Power Tools (to be used by the teacher only)

Remington Middle School

Compound Miter Saw

Disc/Belt Sander

Band Saw 8”

Scroll Saw (bench mounted)

Dremel rotary tool

Horace Mann Middle School

Router, Handheld

Table Saw, 10”

Band Saw, 10”

Propane Torch

Pneumatic Nail Gun w/Air Compressor

Sullivan Middle School

Jigsaw

Classroom Expectations for Tool and Machine Usage

in Technology and Engineering Classes

Each technology and engineering student will be held to a high standard of conduct in the classroom to ensure safety and respect for potential danger while tools and machines are present and/or in use. 

The following expectations will be clearly explained and demonstrated by the classroom teacher.  By signing below, the student confirms that he/she fully understands the expectations and earnestly intends to follow them.

1.  Any hand tool can cause an injury, regardless of its degree of sharpness.  Do not force blunt objects, and use tools exactly as demonstrated without modification.

2.  The hand not holding the tool is most likely to be injured during improper use.  Protect that hand at all times by keeping it at a safe distance from the tool and by keeping it in mind at all times.

3.  A cutting tool such as a saw or razor is designed to be sharp and can cause injury even by casual contact.  When moving or carrying cutting tools, hold the blade down and away from your body and move slowly.

4.  When cutting any material in the classroom, the material must be securely clamped to a work surface.  Never hold the material in your hand while cutting, drilling, and sanding, etc., except when using bench-mounted saws and drill presses.

5.  Safety glasses will be worn by each person in the classroom at all times when any tools are present and/or in use.  If you notice someone without eye protection, report it to the teacher without delay. Be sure there is enough light in the tool usage area before starting a project.

6.  When power tools are in use, students wearing baggy or loose clothing will not be allowed in the tool usage area. All jewelry and other loose items must be removed before entering the tool usage area.  Students with long hair are expected to tie it back.  Open-toed shoes may not be worn in the tool usage area.

7.  Keep tools stored in their proper place as demonstrated by the teacher.  Put tools away immediately after use.  Pick up scrap wood and clean the work area right away.  Never use a tool with a loose handle or a frayed power cord.  Report these tools to the teacher without delay.

8.  Remove batteries or unplug electric tools before changing settings, installing blades or bits, and before storage.

9.  Never talk to or create any distraction for anyone using or holding a power tool.  Keep clear of the tool usage area.  Never shout, run, or play in the classroom when tools are present.

10. Every tool requires direct permission from the teacher before it may be used by a student.  Permission must be given each time a tool is used.

11. Ask the teacher for additional demonstrations of or information about any tool if you are not sure how to use it. Always be on the lookout for an unsafe situation, and report to the teacher any item or situation that may not be safe.

12. There will be no second chances or repeated warnings issued for safety violations in the classroom.  Students involved in any unsafe situation will be asked to leave the classroom without discussion.

Teacher/Student/Parent Agreement

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