This document provides an overview of carpentry and joinery. It defines carpentry as the construction of buildings and other structures using wood, and joinery as the process of connecting pieces of wood. The document outlines the history of woodworking and distinguishes between carpentry and joinery. It also discusses health and safety practices, including proper use of hand tools and power tools, safety signs, and types of personal protective equipment.

1. MODULE: CARPENTRY AND JOINERY
Learning objectives
The carpentry and joinery workshop course provides knowledge to work safely with woodworking
tools, machines and equipment, construct and assemble various wood joints and construct simple
furniture. It also gives knowledge on woods that can be used for various joinery works and
construction purposes.
At the end of these lessons a student will be able to
-Identify different hand tools, stationary power machines and portable power tools and their uses,
care and maintenances
-Know the workshop safety rules and regulation
-Know the basic skills in carpentry and joinery.
-Take a set of woodwork drawing and construct simple furniture
-Explain the kinds and selection of woods
-Classification and uses of woodworking joints and standards
INTRODUCTION
Woodworking
Wood is one of the oldest mankind’s construction material that was anciently used by human
beings in developing various items as well as providing shelter for them. The history of making
tools from woods goes way back to the stone age through the bronze age to the iron age where the
human needs for shelter increased. This made woodworking to be the one of the earliest art and
profession to be learned by human being. There are little written documents about the
woodworking since the knowledge was learned through passing it from person to person.
However, woodworking is the activity or skill of making items from woods and includes cabinet
making, wood carving, joinery, carpentry and wood turning.
Therefore, carpentry and joinery associates with the art of woodworking that involves the
production of tools, items or structures with wood being the major raw material
CARPENTRY
what is carpentry-is a skilled trade in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping
and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, timber bridges, ships,
concrete formworks etc.
Is the activity or occupation of making or repairing things in woods.

2. A carpenter is a specialized type of woodworker. Carpenters do many jobs in construction or
repairing structures which can mean anything from framing or house to building stairs and doors
frames to putting in cabinetry or drywall.
Development in carpentry.
By the 16th century sawmills were created which established the lumber industry. In the 18th
century, the industrial revolution brought steam engines and cut nails. Carpenters no longer had to
rely on the slow, tedious process of handmade nails.
Today carpentry consist of much more than just framing houses. Although this is a large part of
the industry, carpenters can now also be responsible for cabinetmaking and other finer trades.
However, carpentry can be classified according to the work performed. For example
Rough carpentry-it is referred to as framing. Carpenters build wooden structures that includes
tunnel, bridges and sewer supports, temporary frames, shelters, scaffolds, concrete forms and
billboard signs.
Structural carpentry- is the most type of carpentry and these carpenters are very skilled in quickly
erecting the structural components of buildings such as beams, post, and rafters.
Finish carpentry- is the last step in carpentry process. It involves thee installation of finish woods
and trim made of plastic or molded polyurethane.
JOINERY
Joinery is the method by which two or more parts of wood are connected and a joiner is an artisan
who builds things by joining pieces of woods particularly lighter and ornamental (decorative) work
than that done by carpenters.
It can involve simple gluing, nailing, or screwing of the two pieces of wood but it can be a
complicated as using very intricate joints.
The primary role of joinery is to hold woods together strongly and securely.
Joinery is an important part of most woodworking and it is found in furniture, cabinetry, windows
and doors, flooring and much more. It is a specialist area of carpentry.
Distinction between carpentry and joinery.
Carpentry and joinery are both construction trades that associates with woodworking.
Joiners, joins woods in the workshop where as carpenters construct the building element on site
A joiner usually makes the timber products that a carpenter fixes on site.
Conclusively, carpentry is the art of measuring, cutting, fitting and assembling wood and other
materials to construct furniture, buildings, or others structures. Carpenters works not only with
woods but also with metals, plastics, and other synthetic materials

3. LESSON 2: HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CARPENTRY AND JOINERY
Lesson objectives
At the end of this lesson a student shall be able to know what should be done at the site and in the
workshop ta avoid unexpected accidents that may endanger the life of the carpenter or joiner and
others around the work station.
INTRODUCTION
While you at work in whatever location or environment that may be site, you need to be aware of
some important laws that are there to protect you from harm
Health and safety legislation not only protects you, but also states what your responsibilities in
order to keep others safe.
It is very important that you follow any guidance given to you regarding health and that you know
what your responsibilities are.
Workshop tools can cause injuries if proper uses are not followed. The following are safety
procedures to be followed when working with hand tools.
 Selects right tool for the job. Substitute increase the chance of having accidents
 Avoid using hand tools with your wrist bent.
 Use good quality tools
 Keep tools in good condition at all times
 Inspect tools for defects before use
 Keep cutting tools sharp and cover sharp edges with suitable covering to prevent injuries
resulted by unintended contact.
 Ensure that the handles of the tools like hammers fit tightly
 Maintain tools carefully, keep them clean and dry and store them properly after each use
 Carry tools in a sturdy tools box to and from the work site
 Wear safety glasses or goggles and well-fitting gloves
 Keep the work environment clean and tidy to avoid clutters that may cause accidents
The following should be avoided when working with hand tools
 Do not use tools for the work that are not intended to do
 Do not apply excessive force or pressure on tools
 Do not cut towards yourself when using cutting tools
 Do not throw tools
 Do not carry sharp tools in your pocket

4. Safety rules when working with power operated machines
 Always wear safety glasses or goggles
 Wear dust masks when required
 Wear hearing protection that is suitable for the level and frequency of noise you are
exposed to
 Use gloves to protect hands from splinters when handling woods but do not wear them near
rotating blades
 Make sure the equipment is properly grounded
 Ensure that all cutting tools and blades are clean, sharp and in good working order so that
they will cut freely not forced.
 Inspect stock for nails or other materials before cutting, planning or carrying out similar
activities
 Make sure that all machines have start and stop buttons within easy and convenient reach
of the operator
 Turn the power off and unplug the power before inspecting, changing, adjusting or
repairing of a machine
 Use a power stick to push the material into the cutting area
 Keep hands out of the cutting area.
 Use good lighting so that the work piece, blades, and machines controls can be seen easily
 Woodworking machines should be fitted with efficient and well maintained local exhaust
to remove saw dusts produced.
 Keep the work area free of clutters, clean, well swept and well lit.
When working with power operated machine the following should be avoided
 Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties, rings, as they can be entangled with the
moving parts of the machine
 Avoid awkward operation and hand position where a sudden slip may cause your hand to
move into the cutting blade.
 Do not remove saw dust form the cutting head by using hand when a machine is running.
Use stick or brush.
 Do not use compressed air to remove dust
 Do not leave machine running unattended
Safety signs
Safety signs can be found in any working area in order to
 Warn of any hazard
 Prevent accidents
 Inform where things are
 Tell you what to do in certain areas

5. Types of safety signs
 Prohibition signs- tells you that something must not be done. Always have a white
background and a red circle with a red line through it
 Mandatory signs- tells you that something must be done. They are circular, blue
background and have a white symbol
 Warning signs- these are there to alert you to a specific hazard. They are triangular, yellow
background and a black boarder.
 Information signs- these gives you useful information like location of things e.g. First aid.
They can be square or rectangular and are green with a white symbol.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS
i. Head protection- use a safety helmet. They are meant to be worn directly on the head,
must not be worn over any type of hat
ii. Eye protection- protects the eyes from dust and flying debris
 Safety goggles-made of durable plastics
 Safety spectacles- made of durable plastics but gives less protection compared to goggles.
They do not fully enclose the eyes
 Face masks- protects the entire face from flying debris
iii. Foot protection- safety boots are used to protect the foot from the falling objects and sharp
objects such as nails. They should have steel toe-cap and steel mid-sole
iv. Hearing protection- prevent damage to the ears caused by very loud noise
 Ear plugs- are small fiber plugs that are inserted into the ear and used when the noise in
not too severe. Ensure your hands are clean when inserting the plugs. Do not use used
plugs.
 Ear defenders- these cover the entire ear and are connected to a band that fits to the top
of the head
v. Respiratory protection- prevent breathing in dust. Dust masks are used when working in
dust environment. They are lightweight and comfortable. They must be disposed at the end
of the working day.

6. vi. Hand protection. Safety gloves are worn to prevent hands from damage. Wear an
appropriate glove according to the work performed.