Shopsmith Forums

Just thought since we have many experienced professional people here,,,,, a thread on shop safety might pass on some tips.

1. PPE isn't for sissies , it is for preserving the life style and future of fine upstanding folks with a passion to use their curiosity and creativity .
2. A clean clear work shop will prevent trip hazards.
3. Sharp well maintained tools will assist in making proper safe and accurate cuts
4. A few minutes aligning jigs and squares saw tables and other cutting machines will save a lot of time later .
5. understanding the characteristics of the material and machines being used will aid in making safe operational decisions .

I will stop here , in hopes others will chime in on the topic .

A clear mind will prevent mistakes that may lead to injury.

Hobbyman2 wrote:Just thought since we have many experienced professional people here,,,,, a thread on shop safety might pass on some tips.

1. PPE isn't for sissies , it is for preserving the life style and future of fine upstanding folks with a passion to use their curiosity and creativity .
2. A clean clear work shop will prevent trip hazards.
3. Sharp well maintained tools will assist in making proper safe and accurate cuts
4. A few minutes aligning jigs and squares saw tables and other cutting machines will save a lot of time later .
5. understanding the characteristics of the material and machines being used will aid in making safe operational decisions .

I will stop here , in hopes others will chime in on the topic .

What is PPE

Ed in Tampa wrote:

Hobbyman2 wrote:Just thought since we have many experienced professional people here,,,,, a thread on shop safety might pass on some tips.

1. PPE isn't for sissies , it is for preserving the life style and future of fine upstanding folks with a passion to use their curiosity and creativity .
2. A clean clear work shop will prevent trip hazards.
3. Sharp well maintained tools will assist in making proper safe and accurate cuts
4. A few minutes aligning jigs and squares saw tables and other cutting machines will save a lot of time later .
5. understanding the characteristics of the material and machines being used will aid in making safe operational decisions .

I will stop here , in hopes others will chime in on the topic .

What is PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

The first requirement for a Safe Shop is a shop that is safe. A relatively clean, organized work area is a prerequisite. I work area that is being down sized might not be that safe area in which to work. My shop is an excellent example here. Since I started down sizing, my shop is not even safe to be in. This is a task that I now have to avoid...for the duration of recovery. If you see it in these pictures and it does not look lke it belongs in a wood working shop, it is probably destined for "Friends of the Library", Goodwill, Habitat for Humanities or Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS NOT REPEAT, REPEAT IS NOT A SAFE WORK AREA FOR WOOD WORKING OR ANYTHING ELSE.

All good advice. BTW Dusty..looks like "Organized Chaos" to me. I've been a Woodworker since 1973 (High school shop). Well actually more like 1978 when I started working for a wage as such!. I've been working in cabinet shops since then. Owning several, up to 1986. In as much as I have a lot of experience I am slow to call myself an professional. Although, I guess.. I could be considered as such by many. I heard it said once, "the way to tell a successful woodworker is if they still have all ten digits"! I do! One thing I would add to this thread if I was to sum safety up. One thing that has always benefited me as far as safety goes...Develop a habit of safety. What I mean by that get in the habit of always thinking of safety. Every time you make a set-up, or before you turn on a tool, or piece of equipment..think what can possibly go wrong, and have I done all I can to protect myself against that possibility. Granted that can only apply to the "known" issues of any given tool or machine. But, it has always served me well. As my working knowledge has increased in the various woodworking machines. I have remained mostly safe.
In woodworking this needs to be second nature. That leaves room in the brain (mine anyways) for the ten million other things usually going on. That might compromise some more important things like did I clamp that saw fence down, or did I tighten that shaper nut, or router collet. Lastly..(I know this is a tough one) Never work alone if your operating power tool/machines!
Finally, up on my list..roll those long sleeves up!

I keep some military compression bandage/trama kits handy in the shop, and never work in the shop with out my cell phone on me, even though I have a cordless on my desk in there.

I've been trying to downsize as well. These don't help!

JPG wrote:A clear mind will prevent mistakes that may lead to injury.

There goes my safety...


.

robinson46176 wrote:

JPG wrote:A clear mind will prevent mistakes that may lead to injury.

There goes my safety...


.

Farmer,
Referring back to wearing a sign about wood working.... years ago I was at a farm auction and this man was wearing a hat that said "I make saw dust. (then under that). LOTS AND LOTS OF SAWDUST (and under that). Just ask my wife

I laughed and asked where he got that had an he said his wife got it for him. He then proceeded to outbid me on EVERY woodworking tool that was up for auction

Be well,
Ben