Shop safety

[Ed62]

It can't be talked about too often. For the rookies: Use your brain before doing anything. Think about what the outcome might be before using a particular setup. If it doesn't feel right, find another way to do it. Also don't forget about dust control and hearing protection.

For the pros: Don't get too comfortable with what you're doing. It's too easy to do that, especially when you're making the same cuts, numerous times.

I just found a video demonstrating kickback on a TS. Check it out, following my signature.

Edit: I should have added using eye protection.

Ed

[smorris]

I'll add this. When you have glue on your hands it isn't a good time to reach up and brush your hair out of your eyes. DAMHIKT.

Good reminder Ed, lets all be safe out there.

[cabinetman]

Hey Ed, how about respiratory protection from toxic vapors, and we should not forget about protection from direct chemical exposure. Oh yeah, almost forgot...avoid distraction.
.

[chopnhack]

Good reminder Ed and thank you....I was guilty of the "lack of attentiveness recently" and made a few mistakes on a scrapwood project of mine. Needless to say I made a lot more work for myself. I will have to punish myself by posting pictures of the beast.

[Richard in Smithville]

Good points Ed. I think the "pro's" can follow the rookie advice too. Too many times I have stopped myself because" it just doesn't feel right".

[tseavoy]

When you have finished a cut, don't move until you can count the teeth on the blade.

Tom on Marrowstone

[tseavoy]

I would like to add to that. Do not take your eyes off the blade. Do not tolerate distractions.
After more than 40 years working with a table saw with no blade guard, no splitter, no riving knife, I have never had an accident of any kind. Yes, there were kickbacks at times and I learned to anticipate them and get out of the way or stop the saw.
Nothing takes the place of complete attention to what you are doing.

Tom on Marrowstone

[cwsmith]

Thanks for the reminder Ed,

I keep my ear-muffs hanging off the arm of my RAS, first tool you approach on entering the shop. Likewise it's time to exchange my regular glasses to the safety pair with the side shields which are bagged and hanging there with my muffs.

No distractions... includes NO radio, and NO visitors. Both are nice to have around, but not when I'm running machinery. Visitors and radios are nice to have on occasion, but that means it's time for a break.

CWS