Power Tool Safety

There are a number of things that every wood worker needs to
know when they are working with power tools (to a lessor
extent, hand tools). Some things are plainly obvious but
others are often overlooked.

On the serious side, planning ahead may be what save your
life. Some of the power tools available are very powerful
and often rotate at extremely high speeds. Hard carbide has
very little trouble with soft flesh. I have worked in remote
areas where it was several hours to the hospital and safety
was an absolute priority.

Remember what might be obvious now may become very clouded
when injured and you are in shock. The list below (not
necessarily in order of importance) will greatly reduce the
chance of injury.

Read the instruction manuals that come with the power tools
that you buy and learn about the tool. There is always
information specific to the safe operation and other
precautions associated with that particular tool. After all
the manufacturer know their tools better then anyone. Wear
ear, eye and if needed face protection. This is obvious, for
face and eye's, remember hard steel, soft flesh. Hearing
protection is often forgotten because it is such a gradual
change. The simple fact is that running wood working tools
for long durations without hearing protection is going to
reduce your hearing.

Do Not wear loose clothing or have long hair hanging free.
This can result in severe injury if hair or clothing gets
caught in the machine. People have been scalped from
industrial machinery by not taking the right precautions.

Keeping the shop neat and tidy will reduce the chance of
slip and fall accidents. Lot of the time while in the shop
you are focused on the task at hand and not realize where
your feet are. Always sweep up saw dust or scraps or better
yet install a dust collection system to collect the wood
debris from the tools and dispose of it.

Keep your power tools in good working order especially saw
blades. The sharper a saw blade is the less effort it take
the tool to perform the cut and this reduces the effort you
need to use to feed the wood through the tool. If you are
having to force a piece of wood through a table saw it
increases the chance of you slipping and injuring yourself.

Do Not work in your shop if your have been drinking or
taking medication. Both can alter your perception and
increase the likely hood of an injury.

Prepare for the worst. Remember after you are injure is too
late to be trying to think of what to do. The adrenalin will
be flowing and the chance of shock is always present.

Before you get injured post a plan in your shop for dealing
with an emergency. It should have the numbers for an
ambulance as well as a neighbor or a friend that can assist
you if needed. Also, have a phone in your shop with an
emergency number set to speed dial. Have a fully stocked
first aid kit in your shop to deal with any emergencies and
some knowledge of how to dress an injury if needed.

Focus of the task. It is not a good idea to work in the shop
when your mind is distracted. This can lead to inattention
and accidents. It is ok to relax and unwind in the shop but
not while the tools are turned on. Unplug tools when not in
use or when changing attachments and servicing. It is also a
good idea to lock out your power in your shop when you are
not using it. This will prevent children from accidentally
turning on the tools and injuring themselves.
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Dave Markel is the author of "The All Wood Working
Journal". He has helped hundreds of individuals improve
their wood working skills. Visit his site at
http://all-wood-working-plans.com
Subscribe to the All Wood Working Journal at
http://all-wood-working-plans.com/wood-working-tips.html