Equipment & PPE Policy

Purpose:

The Equipment & PPE Policy ensures that all students use welding tools, machinery, and personal protective equipment safely and responsibly. Welding is a high‑risk trade, and proper equipment use is essential for preventing injuries, protecting property, and maintaining a safe training environment. This policy outlines student responsibilities, PPE requirements, and rules for equipment operation.

Student Responsibility for Safety

All students are responsible for:

  • Wearing required PPE at all times in designated shop areas
  • Using tools and equipment only as instructed
  • Maintaining awareness of hazards
  • Reporting unsafe conditions immediately
  • Following instructor directions without exception

Failure to follow safety rules may result in removal from the shop or dismissal.

Required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Students must wear the following PPE during all shop activities:

Mandatory PPE

  • Welding helmet with appropriate shade lens
  • Welding jacket (fire‑resistant)
  • Leather work boots (no synthetic materials)
  • Safety glasses
  • Welding gloves
  • Cotton or fire‑resistant work clothing
  • Hearing protection as required

Students arriving without required PPE may be sent home for the day.

Time missed counts as an absence.

Prohibited Clothing and Items

Use of School Equipment

To maintain safety, the following are not allowed in the shop:

  • Synthetic clothing (nylon, polyester, spandex)
  • Open‑toed shoes
  • Shorts or short sleeves
  • Loose jewelry
  • Earbuds or headphones
  • Food or drink
  • Cell phone use in the shop area

These items pose fire, entanglement, or distraction hazards.

Students may use school equipment only when:

  • They have received instruction on proper use
  • The instructor has authorized operation
  • They are wearing required PPE
  • They follow all safety procedure

Unauthorized use of equipment is a serious safety violation.

Care and Maintenance of Equipment

Welding Booth Assignments

Students must:

  • Use tools and machines only for their intended purpose
  • Keep work areas clean and organized
  • Return tools to designated locations
  • Report damaged or malfunctioning equipment immediately
  • Never attempt to repair equipment unless authorized

Intentional damage or misuse may result in disciplinary action or financial responsibility

Students will be assigned welding booths or workstations. Students must:

  • Use only their assigned booth unless instructed otherwise
  • Keep the booth clean and free of hazards
  • Maintain proper ventilation and fume extraction
  • Store materials safely

Booth cleanliness is part of professional conduct.

Consumables and Materials

Personal Tools

FORGE provides welding consumables such as:

  • Electrodes
  • Wire
  • Shielding gas
  • Grinding discs (as appropriate)

Students must use consumables responsibly and avoid waste.

Students may bring personal tools, but:

  • Tools must be in safe working condition
  • Tools must be appropriate for welding use
  • The school is not responsible for lost or damaged personal tools

Personal tools may be inspected for safety.

Consequences for Violations

PPE and Equipment During Evaluations

Depending on severity, violations may result in:

  • Verbal warning
  • Written warning
  • Removal from the shop for the day
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal from the program

Severe safety violations may result in immediate dismissal.

Students must wear full PPE during:

  • Competency evaluations
  • Demonstrations
  • Practice sessions
  • Any time they are in the shop area

Failure to comply may result in an unsatisfactory evaluation.

Equipment Restrictions

Instructor Authority

Students may not operate:

  • Machinery they have not been trained on
  • Equipment marked “Out of Service”
  • Tools without required guards or safety devices
  • Any machine while impaired or fatigued

Violations may result in immediate removal from the shop.

The instructor has full authority to:

  • Stop any unsafe activity
  • Remove a student from the shop
  • Restrict access to equipment
  • Assign or reassign booths
  • Determine whether a student is using equipment safely

Instructor decisions regarding safety are final