Equipment, setup, and technique for safety and health.

[dbhost]

Cabinetman brought up a great topic in another thread that I wanted to expand on...

What are we doing to make sure our workspace is safe, and promotes good health.

Like many of you, woodworking is just a hobby for me. But it is a hobby I do to encourage health, physical and mental. (I work a sedentary job, time hauling, cutting, sanding etc... is good physical activity for my fat behind...). I want the environment in my shop to be conductive to health and safety, as well as productivity.

In this effort, as many of you have noticed lately I have...

#1. Taken the lighting from a single bare bulb fixutre that was built into the house, and a single 2 bulb 4 foot tube shop light, to 2 rows of 3 shop lights down the length of my garage. 2 new ones about to be installed over the workbench (again...) and 2 more at the ends.

#2. Cleaned out YEARS of stored junk that is no longer needed.

#3. Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. In front of, behind, an top of and under everything I could get to, or move.

#4. Improved my dust collection system from non existent, using the factory dust collection bags etc... to a Ridgid wet dry vac, the shop vac sawdust collection system, tool adapters, and custom length hoses. (waiting on the sawdust collection system and hose materials to be delivered this week sometime). Air circulation and filtration is done via a 20" box fan with a 20x20x1 pleated allergy type filter (different brand, but same type as the 3M FIltrete) and duct tape. I simply duct taped a 20x20 filter onto the incoming side of a box fan making sure to seal off ANY air leaks on the incoming air side, in order to force incoming air through the filter.

#5. Installed an industrial first aid kit onto the door that separates the garage from the kitchen.

#6. Replaced or repaired any damaged tools, cords, hoses, etc...

#7. Ran Air Conditioning into the workspace, and insulated the doors, the mini wall, and the gap over the semi open garage door. (I didn't use insulation for that gap per se. I used some old cheap sleeping bags wrapped up in sheets I had left over from my old water bed years ago... no it isn't a permanent install, just to provide comfort while I am working in there).

#8. Plenty of eye, and hearing protectors throughout the shop. I use the full face shield, along with my prescription eyeglasses, and a good set of Winchester ear muffs. I STRONGLY advise on folks using eye protection. I have had a recent debris throwing incident off of my CMS that I am certain would have done major eye damage had it not been for the shield...

More things I am doing to make my shop safer...

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. Mind you, I am NO neat freak, but I have GOT to have a clean workspace, at least when I start...

Building a shed to keep my lawn & garden stuff, bicycles, camping gear, etc... in. When I am done, my shop will be just that. A shop only... I had thought of building a shed shop but that idea isn't such a good one as I work on cars too...

As soon as the shed is done, and the other stuff is out, I am going to work on lumber organization.

Fire cabinet for VOCs. (Not sure what other names, but one of those cabinets for keeping chemicals and their fumes away from the rest of the shop. We use them at work, I am pretty sure I can pick up a surplus one on ebay cheap...).

If I could ever afford one, I would LOVE to own a SawStop contractors saw... But their stuff is horribly expensive. How much are fingers worth is a good question though...

So lay out your thoughts as to what you are doing, how you are set up etc... to promote safety and health in your shop!

[Uncle Cracker]

My #1 safety device is my brain, and I just try to make sure I've got it with me every time I go in there...

[BobSch]

I'd say you've covered just about everythng.

I'd add just a few operational points:

Use a push stick if your fingers are in the neighorhood of a saw blade.

Remember that routers can bite.

When using a drill press, make sure the bit can't grab and spin the work piece.

Never mix an open flame with solvent based finishes and cleaners.

Ventilate well when finishing.

Use a dust mask when sanding.

Don't continue to work if someone interrupts you.

Anybody got any more?

[Tom Slick]

just to add a couple of concepts:

Never assume somebody knows how to run a tool correctly until you have witnessed them doing it correctly. People who "know what they are doing" are injured or killed all the time.

watch for trip hazards:
don't pile stuff around your immediate work area. watch your extension cords and make sure that they don't have loops sticking up trying to grab your foot.

Those 500w shop lights put out alot of light but they also generate 500w of heat, they can easily light paper and sawdust on fire.

When plugs fall out of receptacles it is time to replace the receptacle.
When plugs are missing the ground it is time to replace them.

have a clear escape route. if you have to step over stuff to use a power tool then what happens if there is an emergency and you have to get out quickly? what about if others have to get to you?

If possible have your lights on a different circuit then any of the other circuits in the shop. That way if you "pop a breaker" you can still safely exit the room.

To tie the trip hazard/escape route/light circuit together:
You are running your saw in a crowded corner of the basement and your "pop" the breaker to the only circuit down there killing the lights. you now stumble over your junk trying to find your way in the dark...

[twistsol]

To expand on Uncle Cracker's point, My number one rule is to get out of the shop when I'm tired. I make stupid mistakes, get lazy, don't think things through, and get clumsy when tired. Give me power tools when I'm tired and I'm worse than a monkey with a gun.

[dbhost]

Wow, I can't believe I failed to mention push sticks / blocks. OUCH on my part there for forgetting...

Keep the ideas coming ladies and gents. The exchange of these sorts of ideas helps keep us in the 10 finger club...

[wardprobst]

Never forget that even the most benign tools can cripple. The worst accident I've witnessed happened on a drill press. Never wear gloves, jewelry or clothing that can catch around rotary tools.
I worked for years without dust collection and can't emphasize enough how important it is for respiratory health. I'd recommend you consider adding a dust collector as soon as you are able. Shop vacs are better than nothing but they are not in the same class as true dust collectors.
Finally, as one who has been cut twice on table saws that were turned off, always let the blade come to a complete stop before getting your digits any where near it.
Good luck,
DP

[Tom Slick]

Just wanted to add that if you are going to have a fire extinguisher then you need to have the correct type. ABC is most common and can help put out any type of fire but with a sawdust fire any extinguisher that blasts at the fire can help spread it. A type "A" might be a better choice or in some instances you might be better off with a garden hose. Types "B" or "C" would be poor choices

[dbhost]

Good catch Tom Slick! Now I need to go to HD to make sure I get an extinguisher back into my shop! My old one was discarded as it had an expiration date that had long since passed. Keep your extinguishers up to date guys and gals!

[Hellrazor]

Nobody mentioned this, but it should always be remembered:

Common Sense