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beginner's safety guideOct 11 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Tools are great things to have around the house or workshop. However you must treat them with care because reckless use of any type of tool whether it be a hand tool or a power tool will eventually result in you or someone near you getting hurt, sometimes fatally. Safety should always be exercised when working with tools. Have a good pair of OSHA approved safety goggles, and a full face-shield. When possible use a good pair of leather gloves to prevent massive hammer trauma to the fingers or screwdriver thru the palm. Be aware of "Pinch points" these are areas between pivoting points or flat surfaces where your finger, toe or other bodily extremity can get squashed. One common pinch point is when you hold a nut to be tightened instead of using a wrench and use a power tool to tighten the bolt side. That nut you're holding on the other side will wind down that bolt shaft very quickly and your finger may be between the nut and the surface you're trying to hold together when the two pieces meet. When grinding, sharpening, drilling, power sanding, power wire-brushing, always use gloves and eye protection. Even heavy gauge clothing like a denim or leather full apron over your front can be a lifesaver. Never use a screwdriver as a chisle or a scraper. You will get hurt that way in the form of raw knuckles. Use the right tool for the job. When drilling metal, make sure you have a firm grip on that drill and that the metal you're drilling is properly clamped. If the drill bit should bite, either the drill will spin and could break your wrist, or the item you were drilling will spin and could fly off into deep space or worse yet, your face. Practice good shop safety. Don't leave things lying around where you can trip, especially extension cords and small wood stock. If your fingers are within proximity of a pounding hammer head or a sharp cutting tool, put on a thick leather glove. Don't bother anyone when they're in the process of using a tool. Distractions lead to injury. If possible, wear steel-toe shoes to keep that falling piece of lumber from making pudding of your toes. Don't wear loose-fitting clothes that can bind in rotating power tools. If you have long hair, tuck it in but don't let it dangle while working. Take off all jewelry that can get caught in machines, this includes, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings (wherever you may have them) and watches. If you see a puddle of water or some liquid on a smooth floor, clean it up before you slip. When using paints, solvents, or other chemicals, request the MSDA sheet from the store. This is the Material Safety Data Sheet and will tell you everything about that product including what to do if you ingest or inhale it. It even tells you it's flammability and safety precautions. All places of business that sell chemicals are required by law to furnish these MSDA sheets on request. This includes toilet bowl cleaners too. This is interesting reading and you should make it a habit of requesting it when purchasing these types of products. Safety is important to me. I've worked with tools and have had stuff fly right at me but hit the face shield. After changing my pants I realized I could have gone blind in that split second if it weren't for that plastic shield. Don't be foolish, practice safe tooling. Hmmm may have to reword that.  |
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