Another safety tip learned the hard way :(

[Lanstorm]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to post todays experience, in hopes no one else repeats it.
I have been following all the power tool safety tips on these boards and have been very happy with the results.

This incident didnt involve powertools, but the injury is right up there with a nasty table saw variety.

I was hanging an 8x4 sheet of peg board on my garage wall... I had the top left corner nailed and anchored, and was lifting the right side to nail and anchor the top, when it slippped. At this point keep in mind that as it pivots to the ground on the axis of the top left anchor, there is only about a inch corner of peg board that will hit the ground.

Well my left big toe was in that exact spot... needless to say my big toe was severed off about 80% right above the knuckle.

I just got home from the hospital, they were able to reset the broken bone and save my toe But will never grow the toenail back. It could have been much worse and I consider myself lucky.

What did I learn??... I am buying steel toed boots to work in my shop from now on.

Be careful guys, the power tools in your shop aren't the only demons waiting to take a bite out of you!!

Lance

[wreckwriter]

Wow.... glad they were able to put it back on. Thanks for sharing the experience. Hope it doesn't hurt for too long....

[John Hunter]

Ouch! Man you have my sympathy.

[gimpy]

Glad the toe's OK. LOML got me a pair of steel toed boots for Christmas. I wear them most all of the time out in the shop just because they were a present. But now I will doubly make sure I wear them all of the time. She also bought me a pair of insulated coveralls to wear out there. I haven't worn them in the shop, yet, but did get to wear them today shoveling the 20 inches or so of snow that we have gotten the last two days. . Really needed it.

Frank

[lcm1947]

Man that is terrible! The pain must have been horrendous. Accidents do happen and they sure can catch you off guard. Who'd ever thought something like that could even happen. Gosh! Anyway glad they were able to sew it back on. That's something I guess. Yeah, I'll be getting me a pair of the steel toed shoes tomorrow at lunch. I've actually been thinking about it anyway and this conveniences me. Get well and I wish for you that this is the worst thing that you ever have to encounter in your life.

[Lanstorm]

thanks for the support guys!

Its always nice to count your fingers at the end of the day in the shop... don't forget the toes tho

[lkazista]

Well my left big toe was in that exact spot... needless to say my big toe was severed off about 80% right above the knuckle.

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What type of footwear were you wearing?

[venkatbo]

Get well soon...

Thanks for the safety reminder... I had a close call once, when I was tamping while laying pavers... I was merily tamping and lo and behold - squished my big toe... Was blue, black & purple for a month... Couldn't wear shoes or belt-sandals for a long time... Ever since, a 'steel toe' I wear :-)

/venkat

[TomBar]

WOW! I always wear steel toe boots at work (mandatory), but never thought about wearing them in the shop. I will now though. Sorry to hear about what happened. Hope you heal soon.

[lrogers]

****, and I was just in the shop barefooted. Granted I was only appling finish, but your point is taken.

[Raymonator]

That really had to hurt. Hope the pain peters out soon for you. Glad to hear you didn't lose the toe.

[thestinker]

Ouch!!!! Depending on what I am doing, I wear anything from flops to boots...perhaps I should wear the boots more often. Man, thats gonna look strange with shorts

[Pappy]

Glad the docs could save the toe. After the first line, I was expecting to read about an accident with a hand saw (makes for some nasty cuts..DAMHIKT) or a chisel. Getting jap slapped by a sheet of peg board is strange.

I have a customer that is a cabinet maker/artisan in a one man shop. The shop is a mess usually and he works barefoot most of the time. Keep expecting to hear he bled to death after cutting off part of his foot.

[Scottydont]

Sorry to heare about your accident. Glad to hear they saved the toe. Take it from a guy who has broken 6 of his 10 toes that is lucky. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[91FE]

were ya wearing shoes?