Replies

1. 
   Hastings | Dec 09, 2006 07:59pm | #1

   Dockside:

   Not much response to your idea compared to the responses to Womble's misfortune. Personally, I think a safety category would be great. I would suggest that Womble's thread be required reading for those new to the hobby.

   I have just started more serious woodworking having progressed up from hand-held power tools. Womble's post has made me take very serious notice of the dangers inherent in larger machines.

   I have a Euro combo, partly because the additional safety features. For example, all the openings have sensor's that disable the machine and prevent an accidental start. Not that one shouldn't unplug anyway but US machines don't seem to have similar features. Safety seems to designed in to the Euros rather than bolted on.

   Maybe safety doesn't sell?

   Hastings

1. 
   Lataxe | Dec 09, 2006 08:19pm | #2

   Has and Dock,

   I too would like to see a safety-related category within Knots, for discussing safe procedures, tool guards and so forth.  These things do get discussed in Knots from time to time but often as a peripheral discussion to some other topic.

   There is also a feeling from some Knots contributors that safety is somehow a bit of a sissy thing to talk of; that each individual is responsible for themselves and how they work.  Regulation about safety devices on WW machines are regarded as the unacceptable face of the nanny state, for instance.

   Whilst I think that attitude does have some merit, in that it seeks to say "You're responsible for yourself in the end" it needs to be reconciled with the realities of human nature and behaviour, as illustrated by Womble's thread.  Everyone can learn to be safer without it being a matter of losing personal freedom.

   Of course, safety is not a very interesting subject - unless a gruesome accident occurs, it seems........... 

   Lataxe, wishing to keep his digits intact.

2. 
   Dockside | Dec 12, 2006 09:24pm | #10

     Thanks to all for the thoughtful discussion and especially for the link to the safety forum.  I did not have a specific structure in mind for the topic here in FWWing that would be different than the current layout in "Knots".  Just thought it might organize things better and cause more folks to consider posting their safety concerns / ideas.  <!----><!----><!---->

   I have been subscribing to FWWing for more than a decade, as well as many other WWing periodicals and in my opinion, Fine Woodworking has a position in this media segment akin to the Wall Street Journal.  Every edition is carefully crafted to very high standards.  While no organization is perfect, everyone on the staff that I have interacted with has been more than professionally courteous, they have been very careful in their responses and up front to say if they do not know an answer.<!----><!---->

   I offered the suggestion in this spirit.  I appreciate FWWing for providing "Knots" as a blank canvas for all of us interested in the business to interact and can respect their decision to leave things as they are. 

2. 
   ptu | Dec 09, 2006 08:20pm | #3

   Well I hope that I don't sound to selfrighteous because I don't mean to be. Safe work practices are extremely important to me as well as everyone else. I live and work 40 miles from any kind of medical services, so accidents in the shop have another dimension for me, and it is something that is constantly in my mind. I feel that the most significant part of safety is state of mind, and by this I mean what you are thinking about when you are working. I constantly tell my self that the job in front of me must be the only thing I am thinking about. How this board is entering a tool, what could go wrong, have I thought of all the possibilities? I have to make sure that what will be for supper, or if the weather will be better tomorrow or what ever is not what I am thinking about. Only the immediate in front of me. It is so easy that because you have done something a hundred times before, to become a little blase about what you are doing. This is when things happen. That little voice has to be listened to. You might have gotten away with something a little stupid once, but it will get you. I think that some people feel that because there are these safety devices, and safety gear that they are safe, but I disagree, constant vigilance is the most inportant, far more inportant than steel toed boots. Saftey devices all have their place, but true saftey is in your mind.
   There, that is my safety rant

1. 
   BarryO | Dec 12, 2006 04:54am | #6

   I feel that the most significant part of safety is state of mind

   I agree state of mind is critical.  Too often, however, it is used to rationalize doing away with safety equipment; eg., "the most important thing is to concentrate, guards just distract you".  IMHO any activity that requires absolute concentration and 100% perfectionism in order to be safe, is not a practical activity for real-life human beings.  So the guards are for when things happen, that happen too quickly for a human to react.

   As to a Safety Forum, I wonder how Taunton's attorneys would feel about them taking part in the dispensing of safety-related advice, especially reader-supplied advice over which they didn't have much control.

3. 
   Omah | Dec 09, 2006 11:11pm | #4

   I also thank Mr. Womble for shareing with us , the more we are reminded that those tools out there can inflick a lot of damage is the best prevention I can think of. Always wear safety Glasses, Keep your fingers away from the blade,ect.ect. is just the beginning of the list . Don't forget your lungs and ears too.

4. 
   RickL | Dec 11, 2006 07:00pm | #5

   There is a forum that actually has an accident forum. 

   http://www.woodworking.org/

    

    Usually when folks are looking for something it's already out there. You just have to find it.

1. 
   Hastings | Dec 12, 2006 05:56pm | #9

   The forum in RickL's post makes for some sobering reading. Inattention seems to be a recurring theme along with being in a hurry and taking a shortcut.As a kayaker (instructor certified), it is easy to translate safety into more gear. Gear is not a substitute for safety, but good safety needs some gear!In my professional life, I have consulted with companies that handle dangerous things and their safety policies are ingrained so that it becomes an integrated part of life - not something bolted on afterwards.Since this other forum exists, why re-invent the wheel?Hastings

5. 
   JLMCDANIEL | Dec 12, 2006 07:01am | #7

   It's one of those things that sounds like a good idea, but in reality I don't know. I think it would just end up being a forum for posting the dumb things we do rather than any real saftey advice.

   Jack

1. 
   groucho | Dec 12, 2006 03:25pm | #8

   The "Safety Forum in Knots" may end up with a lot of accidents caused by dumb things we do. However that may be an indication of the how and why injuries happen while using tools. I'd also like to see the statistics and score showing tools implicated in the accident. Anytime we highlight safety awareness; we help woodworkers stay safe in a potentially deadly environment. That may also assist manufacturers and inventors to design safer power tools.

   I subscribe to Fine Woodworking; and that is my primary resource for woodworking advice etc. That is where I'd like to see a monthly editorial to focus on woodworking safety. Possibly done in collaboration with professional woodworkers, tool manufacturers and safety experts; to give advice. I understand the issue of liability. However there is already liability demonstrated, in some of the projects featured in FW. A disclaimer, such as used by tobacco and alcohol industries may be appropriate.

   In my opinion FWW is the best place for a safety discussion. But, I'm not very confident it will ever happen. Besides liability,it may discourage some from getting involved in woodworking.

   There are certainly many resources regarding woodworking safety; however for me the primary resource I subscribe to would be the one I would actually read. I buy FWW and read it cover to cover; and many times re-read it. It is my major resource  library for woodworking.