Safety in the Shop:
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.
Linden Safety Supply I was really pleased
with them. They have a large product selection,
service was excellent.
National Ag Safety Database A wealth of
information as well as numerous safety tips.
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health
