Do we need a safety forum?

[kenshep]

Hi Gents,
I have seen several safety related posts in various forums here. But for the newbie it might be nice to have a single place for this, or am i missing it?
I've been around wood working since high school, (classes and working in mills) and have seen a few problems. It might be nice to have a forum and group posts by type of machine or activity.
Planers have their own little feature of launching short boards like freesbees. (Saw a guy stand behind a 20+ inch planer one time feeding a 1 foot long board thru it). I pointed out to him the indentations in the wall 30 feet away from missiles launched from the planer. I also know a guy who took a trip thru a laminated beam planer, (48 inches wide), the knives weren't spinning. While most of us don't plane 100 foot long beams, it was a loose fitting shirt (and messing with a running machine), that sucked him into the machine.
Table saw kick back is a biggie for the BT3K afficionados.
The blow-out of a brad from a nail gun pic in one of the posts showed it would have gone right thru a palm or thumb.
Safety equipment, glaases, masks, shields, hearing protection, gloves, dust collection, etc...
We could also apprise the new joiner in the lingo/abbreviations, TS, CMS, etc... for each of the various tools and the particular hazards associated with each. I know this is in the FAQ section too.
Even handtools could be covered. I like the idea of holding small nails with a thin piece of plastic or cardboard to keep from hitting your fingers and marring the wood with "donkey tracks".
Known toxic woods could be listed or links to sites that list them.
I don't do the site admin and I know its a big job, but for those of us who love making sawdust we want to keep our new buddies safe so they and theirs can enjoy the process and products of their labors.

[smc331]

Sounds like a good idea - another example of why this forum is the best on the web - bar none! The quality of the member's work and ideas is phenomenal!

[Black wallnut]

I may be wrong but I think most folks do not even read the safety warnings section in owners manuals. If they do not read them there why would they read them here? I think the way saftey is currently discussed in this forum is more likely to give everyone a moment of pause and thought. Many posts in the past have delt with safety and I'm sure many in the future will also. Most of the time the topic contianing a safety message has a title not related to safety. Methinks in this way more folks will get more safety tips than a seperate forum would provide because they will more likely read the information.

[Tequila]

I gotta agree with Black wallnut. Putting safety messages in their own forum would be preaching to the choir. I think more people will read safety messages if they're located within other appropriate forums like "tool talk" or "getting started".

[final_t]

While I agree that most people don't read manuals, let alone safety warnings and such, I think having such a forum would be actually a good thing, to keep it from being lost in the sauce on the Coffee Pot.
Why? Because those of us who actually take precautions and care about our fingers and eyes would be able to share working (and not working!) tips and suggestions that we've found to make a difference.
For example: I recently was reading about a blind woodworker that does everything by feel - up to a point. That being 3" away from the blade (the front of the table). Then he uses a push-stick. And before hand he does a dry run through so he knows where things are going to go etc. I've adopted this mind set for the recent batch of major resawing on the bandsaw (8' long boards, multiple times) and I believe it made a difference.
Just my two cents.

[AAJIII]

I vote for the safety forum. We can post any safety related information, I have found the near misses posted here very informative and while most people(me included) do not read the safety portion of the manual I believe most members of this forum will read the safety forum. It if saves just one injury it will be worth it. Just my two cents.

[sweensdv]

If everyone takes their common sense pill in the morning, safety will take care of itself. A safety post every now and again is a good reminder to remember to be careful. However, an entire forum dedicated to safety, well, I know that I wouldn't read it.

[leapfrog]

Good idea Ken,
I agree a safety forum would be a good idea. For those who don't want to read the info provided, it's their poragative. I know I'd like to have the forum. Keep up the great ideas!

[BobSch]

I would be nice to think that all of us are smart enough to work safely, but I think a separate forum is probably a good idea. Especially since even the safest worker can miss something from time to time (hopefily not a finger.)

[kenshep]

I have a cousin who lost an eye ripping a board. No safety glasses and he didn't remove the staple from the bar code at the end of the board. Shot the staple right in his eye. I've done that a few times, but since that happened I don't saw without safety glasses.
[B)]

[LarryG]

quote:Originally posted by kenshep

I have a cousin who lost an eye ripping a board. No safety glasses and he didn't remove the staple from the bar code at the end of the board. Shot the staple right in his eye.

Ouch. My condolences to your cousin.

I have a little ritual when I bring lumber home from the store. I stack it up on my router table (first thing I encounter, just inside the door) and carefully inspect all six faces, removing all staples and tags as I go. Only then does that board go onto my lumber rack.

[Scottydont]

I think that would be a great idea. I am not an attorney but having a seperate category regarding saftey may have some risk of extending liability to BT3central. I would hate for Sam and BT3Central to have to stick their necks out on that one.

[Ken Weaver]

Scott, surely there's no more liabilty than swapping jig plans, saw set ups and tune-up procedures?

[tfischer]

quote:Originally posted by sweensdv

If everyone takes their common sense pill in the morning, safety will take care of itself. A safety post every now and again is a good reminder to remember to be careful. However, an entire forum dedicated to safety, well, I know that I wouldn't read it.

Common sense is half of safety. The other half is knowledge.

For example, if I didn't know anything about kickback, all the common sense in the world isn't going to help me be safe.

I vote for the safety forum.

-Tim

[WEG]

I vote for a separate place as well. Seems like most folks (not me of course... [B)] ) like to read about the gorey bloody accidents we run into all the time and those "So close...I shot a 2x4 through my garage door!" that we get away with. Hey, if you title them right, they will be the biggest sellers on the 'hit list'.
Remember the old cop show line..."Let's be careful out there..."
WEG