Safety in the Shop
Some things to consider before you get hurt...
Accidents will happen, but how serious they end up being you can have an influence on. Safety is a combination of common sense, knowing how to use your tools and staying alert! Remember that I said combination. Miss one, and disaster can strike.
It is a good idea to start thinking "what would happen if..." when you are in the shop. E.g. "What would happen if I dropped the axe on my foot (since I am barefoot)", "What would happen if the table saw starts up when I am changing a blade" etc. This can help you foresee what can happen and then you take the steps you need to keep yourself safe.
Below I have listed some common sense "items" that we sometimes forget.
- Never work in the shop if you are under influence (recreational drugs, alcohol), if you are taking prescription drugs that reduces your alertness or if you are tired!
- Have a phone that is not dependent upon external power - or a cell phone - in your shop for emergency use. Land line is better as the emergeny responder can easily identify your address in case you pass out or go into shock before you can tell them what has happened. And in case of a power outage, a phone that does not need external power will still work.
- Have a first aid kit in your shop! And know what to do if an accident should happen. Many kits comes with basic first aid instructions. Read through this.
- If you are an elderly or handicapped person, LifeAlert® might be a good idea to get.
- Dress for safety, not for looks! Those high-heeled red pumps sure look good on you, but are not safe in the shop whether you are a girl or a boy. Wear non-slip footwear that covers your feet (what would happen if you dropped that big chisel on your toes...). And do not wear loose clothing, neckties, or jewelry that can get caught into moving parts of a machine! (What would happen if the tie got caught in the router, by the drill press or other spinning machinery?)
- Always wear eye protection appropriate for the task. Do not use your regular glasses as safety glasses or goggles! Their lenses are impact resistant, but not made of a shatter proof material! You can damage your eyes even worse if an objects hits your glasses, shatters the lenses and the shattered pieces are forced into your eyes. I use prescription safety glasses with polycarbonate lenses and side shields that meets ANSI safety standard Z87.1-1989 - the standard for safety glasses and goggles.
- Don't do electrical work unless you know what you are doing. Paying an electrician to do repair work is cheaper than for your family to arrange your early funeral. If you still insist on doing risky work you don't have knowledge about - at least buy a term life insurance so your family don't have to suffer financially if you get disabled or die.
- Avoid using extension cords. If you have to use a cord, make sure they are able to carry the current of the tool you are hooking up. Information on appropriate extension cords is in table 1 below. If you have to use extension cords, be aware of the trip hazards you might create.
| Ampere Rating | Total Cord Length in ft | Gauge of Extension Cord |
| 0-6 | up to 25 | 18 AWG |
|---|---|---|
| 25-100 | 16 AWG | |
| 100-150 | 14 AWG | |
| 6-10 | up to 25 | 18 AWG |
| 25-50 | 16 AWG | |
| 50-100 | 14 AWG | |
| 100-150 | 12 AWG | |
| 10-12 | up to 25 | 16 AWG |
| 25-50 | 14 AWG | |
| 50-150 | 12 AWG | |
| 12-16 | up to 25 | 14 AWG |
| 25-50 | 12 AWG | |
| Longer than 50 ft not recommended |
General guide for power tools
Powertools are like guns - they are not dangerous until you load them and pull the trigger... And like guns, powertools are more dangerous in the hand of the untrained or the careless. They can cause serious bodily injuries as well as death. If you acquire a power tool you have not used before, I suggest you find a woodworker's club, or a fellow woodworker who can show you how to properly use the tool. You might even find video instructions online. Watch out for some of the YouTube videos, they don't necessarily promote safety...
- READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and THE SAFETY WARNINGS for your tool! Do this before you start using your tool for the first time! If you buy an old tool without a manual, see if you can find a manual by contacting the tool manufacturer (if they still exist). If not, there are some online stores or sites specializing in tool manuals for older equipment. If you are not a member of any woodworker's discussion forums, you might want to join one, and ask your fellow members if they have a manual they would be willing to sell, or copy for a fee and send you.
- KNOW YOUR TOOL MANUAL. It does actually contain a lot of useful information on safety, usage and maintenance that is specific to the machine and model. Make it a habit of looking over the manuals now and then. It is good bedtime or bathroom reading...
- Have the appropriate safety gear available, and use it.
- Make sure you have the appropriate power outlets for your tool. Tools with 3-prong plug MUST be plugged into a grounded 3-contact outlet.
- Make sure the power cable for your tool (especially if bought used) is intact and safe to use. If power cable is replaced, make sure it is replaced with the correct kind. Most (if not all) stationary power tools requires a grounded outlet. If in doubt, have a service shop look over the tool. Don't do this yourself unless you know what you are doing!
- Keep your work area clean, uncluttered and well lit.
- Avoid accidental starting! Make sure the power switch is OFF before connecting your tool to the outlet!
- Let the machine come to full speed before you feed it the work piece.
- Never force a tool to do something it was not designed to do.
- Keep guards in place and in working order. Before you decide upon removing a tool guard, think about why it is there, and what might happen if it is removed.
- Before you do any adjustment to the "business" part of the machine, unplug the power cord! It is a good idea to try to start up the machine using the ON switch making sure you pulled the right plug. Make sure that you turn it to the OFF position again. In OSHA's Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) law, this verification step is mandatory to ensure the machine really is unplugged and safe to adjust and work on. And - yes - a lot of accidents with following deaths have happened because the wrong plug was pulled and the operator did not check that it was the right one!
- After adjusments are done, remove all tools you have used for adjusting your power tool.
- Do not leave a running tool unattended.
- Maintain your tools on a regular basis.
- Keep children away from tools. If you have (young) children, safeguard your power tools so children cannot use them.
- Don't let visitors or friends use your tools unless you show them how to use them, or they are experienced users.
Yes, all the things mentioned above most people agree is common sense. However, common sense is often bypassed because "I just need to cut this one piece with the guard off" or "I can fix the electrical cord myself - I don't have time to get someone else to fix it". Or because you simply got a phone call, got distracted, forgot to pull the plug and accidently started up the router when you tried to change a bit. If you want to learn about some ugly scenarios with fatal outcome because "common" sense was forgotten - go to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program and take a look at the fatality investigation reports. It is chilling and tragic reading, but can also make us aware of how accidents happens. It only lists fatal accidents - not those where a worker "just" got hurt...
And please remember - only a tree will thank you if you loose a limb.
What is OSHA?
Some of us are familiar with OSHA and its regulations that apply to our work, many are not. OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration - The US Deparment of Labor's agency established in 1971 "to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths." (http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/osha-faq.html) So if you are a hobby woodworker - you are exempt from OSHA rules. However, if you are interested in safety and health, OSHA even has a page for woodworkers and specific hazards. It is worthwhile to check out. And it is not written in "dry legalese" language. Go to OSHA's Home Page and click on W on the A-Z index. I will highly recommend this site!