jef441

A few years ago I had read the results of a study comparing auto accident injuries before and after adoption of seats belts. The point was that there was very little actual difference. The author went on to postulate that the problem lay in the false sense of security afforded by seat belts. Feeling safe, drivers would take greater risks. The same in the wood shop may be the result.
In my own woodworking experience I still vividly remember my ninth grade wood working course. The instructor began the course by displaying a photo of his bloodied hand from an earlier saw injury. The photo stayed on the wall for all to see every session. Today, 70 years later, I still do not forget the lesson. Use your safety equipment, properly aligned fence, blade at the right height, push stick as appropriate, etc. and, most importantly, always know exactly where your fingers are in relation to the blade. This, of course, applies equally to every motorized tool and sharp edged hand tools as well. No fancy electronic device can ever protect everybody all the time from their own inexperience or stupidity. no more than seat belts and air bags have eliminated highway injuries and deaths. To the contrary, it may encourage greater risk taking and overall higher injuries.
In the case of the flooring company worker, his employer should have been held responsible for lack of safety standards. That would that would send a more memorable and effective lesson.

Sam and Alfreda were my mother's neighbors in Cucamonga, CA for many years. Alfreda and my mother were near the same age and were close friends. So, for years I heard a lot of the praises and neighborly exchange of how Sam had developed this wonderful furniture business and how Alfreda had made it her life's work to become Sam's public relations agent and to arrange to get pieces of Sam's work into as many museum's as possible. And she had great success. From Sam's comments about Alfreda it is very evident that the two of them made a very loving, supporting and very successful team. I saw and talked to both of them a few years before Alfreda passed away, when Sam had a speaking engagement in Winsted, CT at the invitation of Ralph Nader. I happy to have the memory of having been able to tell them both directly how much I admired both of their work. Their memories will be with us for many years.

Hugh