Post #208397 by Loki on Wed, Jan 18, 2006 6:09 AM

Mods and carvers,
After my near pinky loss i have been thinking about the need for a safety thread. I think if we all started compiling our lists of safety procedures and equipment we could pool them together on one master post, lock it and sticky it at the top for all to read easily and often in the creating Tiki forum.

So I will start with some ideas:

After my close encounter and after i became aware that i was OK, my wife who witnessed it, said to me, " you know, i would not have known where to take you if you had been hurt." I looked at her and told her that i wouldn't have known where to tell her to take me. Scary thought. We talked about it for a while and now we know.
So, when using power tools try and have someone else around in case you need help, and know how and which place to go in the event you need emergency care . Of course 911 is always a first option, but when you know you don't need an ambulance ride, knowing the easiest route will help.

Make sure there is a phone around to use. We try and keep a phone in our working area and cell phones make that a little easier. The last thing you want to do is fumble around for a phone when your hand is bleeding.

Read the instructions to your new power tool. If your like me, the first thing you do, it tear the new tool out of the box, plug it in and try it out...often the tools come from the factory with loose blades, and fasteners not tight. I save all my manuals in a file ans keep them in the shop for quick reference if i need them, and have started using a high-liter pen as i read the manuals to highlight the more important features. It forces me to read the manual now.

These are just a few things to get us started. Please add anything you see fit. Lets keep us safe.

A big Mahalo to all for this.

"He who does anything because it is the custom makes no choice."

[ Edited by: Loki 2006-06-09 05:09 ]