We have all heard the stories. They all preach the same thing. We've all heard it before. Even Norm Abrams reiterates safety with every show.

With all the reminders, why do any of us ever get hurt? I've always considered myself to be conscientious and safety minded. I've been using power tools for 40 years and can count on one hand (using all five fingers) the number of close calls. Each of those situations were unusual, usually caused by a board binding while being cut. Following the prescribed process of standing to the side kept that close call from being injurious.

Two years ago however that all changed. I was routing a groove in a stile for a cabinet door. This is an operation I had performed hundreds of times. I was using a carbide downcut spiral bit. I was pushing the wood through with my right hand and pushing it down with my left.

There was a twist in the grain, the bit grabbed and yanked the board forward, my right hand stopped pushing but my left hand the one pushing down the board followed the board right up to the point the board was thrown out of the tool. The finger next to my pinky went right in to the bit. 

I'll spare you the gory details. Suffice to say, I still have the use of the finger, it's partially numb and at times hurts like crazy.

I now have a splitter with anti-kickback pawls on my table saw. I also use feather boards on my router table. Before I start any operation with any tool, I take the extra second to visualize it through to make sure I'm not putting any body parts in harm's way should something go wrong.

You might be thinking you don't have the time to bother, well I can only tell you I was non-productive for a month while my hand was healing.

The following are some links with helpful information.

Bob Johnstons Carpenter Books This is a must see site. Bob has put a tremendous amount of information out there relative to safety, procedures and how to. Bob is committed to reducing the number of injuries suffered with the use of tools. No matter how much you think you know, you'll learn something here.

Linden Safety Supply I was really pleased with them. They have a large product selection, service was excellent.

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health