49 – Safety Week 2008

Video - May 4, 2008

Woodworker’s Safety Week is finally here! No it doesn’t mean that this is the only week we have to be safe, haha. Obviously, our shops are full of danger. So its very important that we adopt the safest practices possible. And with so many folks new to the hobby, its critical that we take a step back occasionally and focus on safety. With the cooperation of the rest of our internet woodworking community, I hope we can create a whole series of blog posts, videos, audio programs and articles that can be referenced all year long. And knowing most of these folks, their contributions will be interesting and entertaining. So enjoy this crazy week of content, fun, giveaways, and more.

Discussion

Bed Rock Bob May 5, 2008 6:21 am

Marc,
Safety week is a great idea and as always your video was fun to watch. I also liked how you brought you family (Nicole) into the video.
I feel I am pretty safe in the shop except for protecting my lungs. I have the paper masks but only put them on about half the time if that. So I broke down and bought:
â

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WiZeR May 5, 2008 6:57 am

For me to work safely, it is imperative that I have one of those T-Shirts. You must tell me where you got it ;)

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Nick W May 5, 2008 7:45 am

I have a rule in my workshop that if I make three mistakes then I shut up shop for the day. Mistakes include things like a misplaced cut in timber, small cuts to my person and dropped tools. All of these things indicate that I am not working at full awareness, so remember – three strikes and you’re out.

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Dustin Taylor May 5, 2008 1:06 pm

I think that it is awesome that you are having a safety week. I have been enjoying your shows for a while now, but this one is worth a comment to say “Great Job!”

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Marty Senetra May 5, 2008 1:41 pm

Great concept, Marc! Bed Rock Bob brings up 2 issues that I can relate to.

1 – Until I watched your TWW episodes I never really thought about coughing up some really ugly stuff after a day of sanding, or about throat and lung irritation when using some nasty solvents and finishes. Thanks to you I now own (and NEARLY always use) a respirator.

2. The issue about parallels the only woodworking of any significance that I’ve ever sustained, and I’ve been using table saws, etc. for 45 of my 50 years. At first under Dad’s hand holding, of course.

I was working in my shop about 9 years ago and thought I had the door to the house shut tight. I didn’t. I was making a kind’a tough rip on my table saw when my dog came in and bumped me behind the knee for attention. I ripped the tip of my left index finger! The damage isn’t nearly as bad as it could have been, but hand surgeons aren’t cheap!

I learned 2 lessons the hard way, the first being that I shouldn’t have been making that “kind’a tough” cut in the first place. The second being that I have to be careful not to allow outside distractions from coming into the shop.

Thanks, Marc

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Marty Senetra May 5, 2008 1:43 pm

Sorry. # 2 should read:

2. The issue about Nicole parallels the only woodworking injury of any significance that Iâ

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John – Long Island, NY May 5, 2008 1:47 pm

Hi Marc,
Safety week is a great idea. One tip I learned was to put on my safety glasses when I turn on my shop light, and take them off when I turn the light off for the day. I have avoided injury by doing this because even with all my machinery turned off Istood up after adjusting a tool and whacked my face on a board I left on the machine while making adjustments.

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Germain May 5, 2008 3:21 pm

Great idea to have a “safety standown”, Marc. You are wise beyond your years.

I have a question perhaps you and others could answer. This past weekend I was making multiple, long rips with 8/4 douglas fir. Wanting to be safe, I installed my Board Buddies to keep the stock down and a feather board to keep it against the fence. My table saw was freshly cleaned and waxed and my blade was sharp.

Yet, the combination of the hold downs and the feather board created a lot of resistance. No matter how many adjustments I made, I continually had to push quite hard to get the stock through the saw. This made me concerned about something bad happening had I slipped or something gave loose to send me hurling toward my table saw.

Do you have some suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong? My board buddies are adjusted at a slight angle to pull the stock toward the fence at the far end of the saw. Might this be the problem? Should the wheels be straight and in line with the blade and fence instead of angled?

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Steve May 5, 2008 5:04 pm

Marc-
Don’t your Softboxes work better if you stand in front of them instead of behind them? ;-)

Great idea to raise safety awareness. We all get in a hurry and don’t think through what we’re doing.
My shop is in the garage, and I work with the door open 90% of the time. So I try to be facing the open door when I’m using a machine so that I can see those nosey (inquisitive) neighbors coming. Most of them know to wait until I shut off the machine before they approach.

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NicoleSpag May 5, 2008 5:27 pm

Hey Wizer,
I think I got that shirt at the local department store, but you can get it online by Googling “Homer Simpson” Man at Work. I found this place here that has it in stock. http://www.myteespot.com/Man-A.....-6989.html

It is a funny shirt huh :)

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stewbacca May 5, 2008 5:39 pm

I absolutely agree with the family rule.

1. My two year old opened the shop door and screamed at me. After I made sure that he was not hurt but only trying to get my attention, I almost killed him because he scared the crap out of me.

2. My wife also flcked the lights on my while I was making a cut on the table saw and I just about lost it on her too.

Anyway, I highly advocate making sure that your family knows not to startle you while the machines are running.

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Daniel May 5, 2008 6:25 pm

Here’s something to keep in mind- turn your cell phone ringer off while working. I normally keep my cell on loud and vibrate, after a couple of calls while using the router , I turned off the ringer and you can guess why.
After I’m done using any machine, I check see if I’ve missed any calls.
It’s simple thing but it keeps you from getting jumpy.

Daniel

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ronald graziano May 5, 2008 8:45 pm

Before I start any tool I think , if something is going to come flying off am I in the line of fire. I always try to stand to one side off center from say the grinder , table saw blade or planer.

Marc, Love your new funky theme music.
what is hip
Ron

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WiZeR May 6, 2008 12:18 am

Thanks Nic. I couldn’t find it in the UK. I’ll order it from from over there.

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Vic May 6, 2008 5:54 pm

I know others have already echoed my sentiment, but the bit about Nicole coming in and scaring the &$(@ out of you, reminded me to talk to Sylvia about that. We now have, at least, that rule in place.
It’s hard to think of every scenario. If Sylvia needs my attention she can page the phone in the shop (it’ll ring until I pick it up).

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Jon May 7, 2008 12:04 pm

Hi Marc,
For your 3M respirator, what filter’s were on it? Looks like you had the 2091 (pink filter) P100 on there but what was the cartridge, was it the 6001? Do you always keep the cartridge on there or just when using oil based finishes and chemicals? Wasn’t sure how much it cuts down air breathing through both, currently I just have the 2091 filter which is great, I no longer have sneezing attacks :)
Thanks

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John Cooper May 7, 2008 12:48 pm

Hey Marc,

As always, great job, and thanks for all you do.

Just a “me too” on the respirator. I bought the same 3M respirator you use. It is so comfortable compared to everything else I’ve tried – makes it easy to wear for long periods. And it really makes you realize that those little white dust masks really don’t accomplish very much.

Working with MDF is the worst- and I never really realized how nasty that stuff is. Problem solved with those pink particulate filters. (What is UP with that color though??)

Also, using the white organic vapor filters, I can do a bunch of finishing and not feel sick and headachey afterwards.

Thanks again!
-John

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Bob N May 8, 2008 10:04 am

Hi Marc,

What a GREAT idea this was for a week of safety and I know that it has heightened my own awareness when I have been playing in the shop this week. I hope all woodworkers are watching and paying attention as these facts will help them avoid injury.

I did have a question for you. You recommend this respirator

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....dwhispe-20

in particular. Do you use this as a dust mask on a regular basis as well as when using finishes? I am thinking of adding it to my weaponary in the shop based on your recommendation, but wanted to see how you felt about it for dust protection. I have a good little DC, but adding other protection cannot hurt.

Thanks for all you do in the woodworking community and all that you are so kind to share with us. I really look forward to checking your site on a daily basis these days.

Bob

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Badabing May 28, 2008 2:10 pm

Just now catching up on all the episodes I’ve missed this last month or so… Been busy with my new home business and things are going pretty well, but I miss keeping up with your website! Great job on this safety topic Marc! Keep up the good work and stay healthy!!!

Best Regards,
Joe

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Zeke Muddpuddle April 2, 2009 8:59 pm

Marc,
Just love it all pod cast etc.I have learned more in weeks than I have in four years of self reading and Tv. Reading the comments after the first safety pod cast I too have the same unanswered question after adding featherboard and fence for rip cut in rock maple the resistance was very scary to judge cutting speed and my Ridgid lower horsepower did’nt help. Back off feather board? my clean cutting abilities need all the help I can get. Blade sharp but high tooth count.
Thanks for the lessons!!
Zeke

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Mark Gowans December 10, 2010 4:06 pm

I like the idea of telling people not to enter when they hear machines. Unfortunately people, especially youngster tend to forget instructions like that.

Another idea might be to lock the doors from the inside and if people need to contact you get them to phone your cellphone. So you are aware of it when the loud machines are going you should set it to vibrate and stick it in your pocket. Thats my idea anyway.

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Kevin Staniunas March 29, 2014 8:33 am

Consequence thinking. Approaching the idea that each tool or mechanism has it benefit, but their underlining hazards or dangers associated with as well. Problem is; the machine or tool doesn’t think for you, you think for it. (yourself). Take 10 mins. And examine the consequences of your own actions. What could happen, what needs to be addressed; fixed or adjusted. How easy is it to lose focus, and later a limb. Or electrocuted. Walk through any burn unit and it becomes ingrained in a way it never should. As the operator you’re the only thing keeping safe from harms way. The gray matter between the ears should be the most valueable tool you utilize.

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49 – Safety Week 2008

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