Safety 101- Anybody wanting to share their safety tips when using their tools??

[drivesitfar]

ALL: some of us use commercial racking for our shops, but how do we secure them? especially if we own a fork lift or are in a part of the country where earthquakes are a possibility.

here's just a small safety tip that might save you and some of your expensive tools from falling. i use zip ties in my storage units and will probably change over to nuts and bolts there like i do at home to at least keep the racks in place.

I probably should also figure out some sort of way to attach my racks to some support beams and wondering if any of you do that. do tell if you have and post up a few pictures.

 

[mrjaw14]

When working on electrical, don't hold your flashlight in your teeth

 

[66354dream]

Unfortunately, many of us (well, especially me) don't learn until we have that accident (or almost-accident).

My big problem is working too fast.

I hired a friend of mine to put up my vinyl fence. He's an older guy, and he warned me that he works slow. He did, but he did the fence perfectly, and didn't have even the slightest injury, and made no mistakes. I need to take a lesson from him. Even when he came with the load of cement bags. He was unloading them all, nice and slow. Me, I came out to help and went like a madman. He was like "you're gonna end up hurt! Slow down, what's the hurry?". He's right. We took our time, BS'd and the job was done soon enough. And I didn't pull my back muscles like I certainly would have if I kept up the rate I was running.

So there's another vote for "slow down!". Every injury I have endured was from working too fast.

I'm the same way you are when it comes to work, I can't explain why I rush through projects. Even if I have the WHOLE day I feel like I have to hurry and finish, I actually think I'm getting worse with age.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: to maybe get in the mode of NOT RUSHING and prepping and thinking for all your projects to avoid any pain and also do a quality job one member recommended this book to me.

i'm only in chapter 2 so far and i have the audio version, but the member that recommended it has a very good attitude and always starts and finishes his projects in a nice way.

the book is THE ZEN OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE and the author explains right off it's less about ZEN and SPECIFIC Motorcycle maintenance so read it and tell us what you think. i think it was published in 1974.

SPEAKING OF JACK STANDS: i've changed a lot of tires and have yet to use a jack stand, but i don't crawl underneath a car to do it. I don't work on my cars much, but i have crawled under a car with only a hydraulic jack holding it or maybe a screw jack so CAUTION TO THOSE THAT WERE NOT TAUGHT TO USE JACK STANDS. USE THEM!!!!

i had a handy guy about 30 come over to my place to buy something a few months ago and he saw an extra hydraulic jack on the floor that I wasn't using and asked if i would sell it because he needed one. since i didn't need it and i was always tripping on it i gave it to him with one requirement that he not use it without a jack stand. he promised and he also said he had a friend that was working on his car in his garage a few months prior to that and the jack failed, car dropped on the handy 25 year old working hard in his garage and he died. the one i gave the hydraulic jack to still didn't know about jack stands and might have just used an old hydraulic jack just because it worked. USE JACK STANDS and if the ground isn't level don't win a DARWIN AWARD rigging something up and try to get the car to a level spot. Anybody have favorite jack stands and a neat way to store them please post and let us know.

HAVE A SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE DAY EVERYBODY

 

[Notso1337]

Great thread!

Don't wear contact lenses when sanding or grinding (also, don't be a tough guy):

I was working in a window factory and a piece of sawdust got past my safety glasses and worked itself underneath my contact. It was the beginning of a 10-hour shift and I didn't have a backup lens so I toughed it out. I ended up wearing a hole through my cornea. It healed up OK, but it was the worst pain I've ever felt and I still can't wear contacts.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I try to always think about what could happen if a handle breaks, prybar slips... Even if a bolt comes loose like you want it to you could end up punching something metal or falling if enough force is being applied. When doing something with one hand think about what could happen to the other one. I've learned these the painful way or by seeing coworkers get hurt.
I try to take a break when I'm getting frustrated. Going back to it after a snack or a smoke I usually find a solution right away.
Obviously use the right ppe. Aside from it actually saving you if you're a pro I would imagine that would be a good reason for a workers comp claim to be denied.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ozyborn]

Table saw: See that blade? It wants to eat your hand and fingers. do not feed it. keep your hand a safe distance away then double it. Always use push sticks, eye protection and hearing protection. Do not trust the guards to save your skin.

This is why I built my table saw cabinet so that I can not physically reach the blade without lowering a table.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

My #1 rule: Any hoodies that get worn in the garage or working around power tools get the strings cut out of the hood.

 

[southalabama]

Table saw. See above. Push sticks.

Harbor freight push sticks cheap and they work.

 

[Sine Swept]

I would say I'm well aware of everything that has been discussed. Having grown up on a farm with heavy machinery and PTO's I learned a hell of a lot some taught and some learned the hard way. I also had the pleasure of working with my dad at a few different wood lots. Chainsaws, more heavy equipment and the very real risk of falling timber. This was enough to keep me with fingers and toes.

Now for the past 16 years I have worked in an auto production facility where all the previous dangers are quite real and other new risks are involved. We are a stamping and welding facility, plenty of sparks, sheet metal, full coils of steel, constantly changing environment with new models coming in all the time, forklifts in every direction, clueless new staff. The older guys are good at reminding one another about certain dangers that we become desensitised to. I am always telling people to put on new gloves (sheet metal folks) when I can clearly see a bare finger. I will also get after someone when I see them carrying metal over their head as this is such an easy disaster waiting to happen. I have seen more than 3 people get cuts to the face that I would imagine they still walk around with.

On the shop floor we wear steel toed boots, kevlar sleeves (with thumb in thumb hole so the sleeve will not separate from the glove), kevlar gloves, safety glasses, hard hat or bump cap and ear plugs. This is a minimum requirement.

My tip - verify that your PPE is in good shape. Cutting yourself while wearing gloves with holes in them is just bad game. Also I like the not carrying metal objects above your neck.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: i had to Google PPE cause i wasn't sure what it stood for and while i was there i decided maybe the definition was worth posting on this thread so here it is:

Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter.

thanks for all your Safety thoughts and suggestions and as more come to mind feel free to post them. the more you know and learn about safety the more you have to THINK ABOUT so you can STAY SAFE.

one of our members here works at SAW STOP where he is a designer and keeps their table saw from cutting into flesh and bone. here's a video in case some of you didn't know this saw existed or how it works.

STAY SAFE and have a good weekend everybody.

 

[rustbucket5]

one thing i do is always have my safety glasses on top of my head so no matter where i am, im never tempted to do something that could harm my eyes without them. they fall off and are kind of a pain but its better than the alternative

one thing i hate is the older guys in shops making fun of me for wearing safety glasses. "oh he must have just come out of school haha" ive been in the hospital for 4 days ******* blood i dont want to end up there again for any reason

 

[Farrier]

Don't use your fingers to stop a 5" grinding wheel, and put your guards back on Wife said I needed stitches......... Stitch what?

 

[drivesitfar]

Farrier: OUCH. i guess we all have to learn some things the hard way don't we? my thumb cut is healing and i'm really tired of bandaging it two times a day to keep the dirt out of the cut so today i'm going to use my little jar of NEW SKIN i use to use for blisters. i'll have to see if it has an expiration date on it cause I think i've had it in my golf bag for maybe 10 years now. if it's expired I guess i'll go buy another one. have you tried the stuff cause it might help a little with that new injury you have? it does sting a bit, but seems to protect the injured area pretty well.

anybody else use or have thoughts about using NEW SKIN liquid for blisters and cuts?

RustB: i hear you and i put a pair of safety glasses or full face shields around or on all my grinders and saws and i still don't use them 100% of the time. i was even cutting up a few 2 x 4's and old siding to throw in the trash the other day just using my small readers. instead of wearing your safety glasses on top of your head maybe you can find a strap like i used to have with my sunglasses so they could hang around your neck when you don't need them? just a thought.

ALL: speaking of readers I know there are safety glasses with magnifyers in them because i bought a pair and then gave them to my 75 year old neighbor that is always welding and grinding without any safety stuff on his eyes. anybody know of a quality safety glass with magnifyers? i use my readers behind my full face shields, but as i'm getting ready to weld i'm not sure what the best method is.

 

[1/2 Cup]

one thing i do is always have my safety glasses on top of my head so no matter where i am, im never tempted to do something that could harm my eyes without them. they fall off and are kind of a pain but its better than the alternative

one thing i hate is the older guys in shops making fun of me for wearing safety glasses. "oh he must have just come out of school haha" ive been in the hospital for 4 days ******* blood i dont want to end up there again for any reason

RB5, our work requires us to wear safety glasses for all outdoor activities and in the workshops as well. It becomes the norm after a while.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Don't use your fingers to stop a 5" grinding wheel, and put your guards back on Wife said I needed stitches......... Stitch what?

Hurt, pain and agony.

 

[AndySchlagzeuger]

Gloves when working on cars- the oil and other chemicals over short to long term can cause dermatitis among other nastier things. Over time just a small exposure and the symptoms will flare up.

And eye and ear protection. We don't get a second set of either. The extra time finding those safety glasses that were around somewhere is worth it.

Under cars always be extra careful. Always use proper stands (and a back up stand even) and work on a hard level surface.

I like to to take my time on jobs too, and always use the right tool. Rushing jobs, and stressing out adds to the likelihood of injury.

Stay safe all.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Three things in the shop that should be done at the same time:
Drink beer.
Jabber.
Listen to the stereo.

When working; I prefer to concentrate on My task, and not have any of those three distractions.

If You can't beat-em, join-em.. Enjoy Your friendships, beer, and music. Count Your blessings,,,,,,and your fingers.

 

[bwringer]

...one thing i hate is the older guys in shops making fun of me for wearing safety glasses. "oh he must have just come out of school haha" ive been in the hospital for 4 days ******* blood i dont want to end up there again for any reason

I've seen people with all kinds of scars, missing fingers, etc. make fun of people trying to use adequate PPE. I cannot figure out this sort of mindset, nor do I want to work around people like that.

You have the same issue in motorcycling -- there's a certain type of person who not only wants to ride wearing no protection whatsoever, but actually wants to prevent others from wearing helmets, gloves, armored gear, etc.

Very strange mindset, and quite frankly I do not want to work or ride around people that dumb who also want to spread the dumbness.

 

[Boger]

I learned this the hard way, when cutting through metal with a angle grinder. Make sure the metal is not going to fold in on the cutting wheel. While cutting up a flatbed to shorten it twards the end of the cut the bed folded and pinched the wheel of the angle grinder causing it to kick back. 16 stitches in my left hand from this, I now plan every cut I make carefully.

TL;DR Angle grinders can kickback, be careful.

http://imgur.com/tCHBGQg

Don't click if you don't like blood. Doesn't show all the stitches on the rest of my hand.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: you are pretty wise with all the safety stuff you know so please share as you think of things and have time. for a long time i thought all Australians were rugby players and safety wasn't a word in their vocabulary. thanks for stopping in.

Andy: another smart AUSSIE and happy to have you join our group and the forum. good stuff you posted too.

BDT: too many emergency room visits are from a little lax thinking or attitude and good points about not mixing pleasure with work and power tools.

BW: well said and i agree 100%.



Bog: great first post and SO TRUE. yes plan all cuts and when chainsaws are involved plan your path of escape in case something doesn't go as planned.

welcome to the journal and glad to have another wise member that thinks join our group.

ALL: i needed to modify a good size pergola i built 4 years ago and ended up sanding it with an old circular sander cause my old craftsman belt sander wasn't working very well. i know i need to buy a FESTOOL or maybe a FEIN that has a vacuum system attached to it but as you might know you need to spend about a mortgage payment for either one. anybody have another sander they like and a way to keep the sawdust from flying everywhere. it felt like i was tuning an old car with a crescent wrench and a screwdriver the way i was sanding today.

hope you all had a great weekend.

 

[IRQVET]

I'll play. Don't use chemicals that off gas while wearing an athletic shirt. Athletic shirts like Under Amour or Nike Pro Combat are designed to wick away moisture (sweat) from your body, but they will wick away anything in the air if the area you're working in isn't properly ventilated and your exposed to a flame; like striking the arc on a mig welder 7 hours later.

2nd/ 3rd Degree Burns after the shirt fused to his chest.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Sorry man. I dont think there was anyway to see that one coming.

 

[drivesitfar]

IRQ: is that you in the picture? how long ago did that happen? if you have time can you give a more detailed explination on how this happened? i don't totally understand and i'm guessing maybe a few others don't either. are you ok now or still healing?

thanks for posting and hope by you posting it will save others from the same disaster.

ALL: so I took apart my 4 year old Pergola this week and decided to sand off the old stain before putting another coat on and i used mask yesterday. i only had time to sand one of the top 4x4's today so didn't grab a mask and i'm still feeling like i have sawdust in the back of my nose. don't do quick jobs without proper gear needs to be the routine for me instead of the old days of JUST DO IT.

 

[7echo]

Many, many good comments in this thread.

I am half joking but I usually tell people that 80 percent of shop safety can be summed up in one short sentence-
Don't touch the part whats moving.

 

[terry603]

something I always told people when using a pallet jack, if you remove your hand from the handle drop the jack 1st
I have seen too many people step on a pallet that was not lowered,

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: so just moving a box yesterday i mis judged where my hand was and slammed it into a shelf and bleeding again. of course i use readers and have since i was 45 and now that i'm 60 i really should buy a pair of glasses that the eye Dr. has mentioned i should have 4 years ago and again this year. the depth perception just wearing readers isn't great and i can't wear them driving so maybe it's time. funny how a little blood can help you make a decision. BTW just as my thumb was healing up i'm not bandaging my right knuckle which isn't an easy place to put a bandage either.

there is a safety shoe thread that was inspired by this thread and i wanted to put in the link to it becasue not only are good shoes IMPORTANT you need to have good support so your back and body don't go to SH*T while you are doing your job or working on your fun project.

here's the link: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340115

also for those of you that have sore backs at night or waking up you should try or probably buy an inversion table and use it 5 minutes a day to hang and i bet you'll feel better. there are a couple good threads on the subject in FREE PARKING called "An upside down world" and BAD BACKS or something like that.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: anybody want to share another safety tip or maybe a new injury and tell us how you did it and maybe how it could have been avoided?

i actually put on my full face shield while doing a lot of sanding on my cedar pergola and it really kept a lot of the sawdust out of my face. i also had a dust mask on and readers that worked actually pretty well. still need to spend the money for a Festool with the vacuum attachment or some like model that some of my friends use to keep the flying sawdust to almost nil in their shops.

anybody else have a good set up for sanding do tell?

hope you are all having a great (and safe) weekend.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Always wear quality shoes or boots when working on a ladder or when standing for a long time. A couple of weeks ago, a friend & I installed a replacement window. This job had me on a step ladder for a very long time. I was wearing worn out, cheap sneakers that had as much support as a pair of slippers. MY FEET WERE IN PAIN FOR 2 WEEKS!
My old sneakers are in the trash, and I bought a couple of pair of good work shoes at an industrial safety supply.

 

[IUEC Medic]

Welding Safety:

Never use brake cleaner to clean a surface on or near and area that you're going to weld.

When a common ingredient in brake cleaner (tetrachloroethylene) is heated and combined in an environment rich with Argon (welding gas), it creates phosgene gas. Exposure to phosgene for just a few seconds can kill you.


http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-12/dont-get-careless

 

[Empty Pockets]

Safety Glasses-

There is no excuse for not wearing them. Years ago, I ran the Formica shop at a large cabinet shop. The company's owner charged me with the responsibility of reducing injuries in my department. About 2 weeks later, he was walking through my shop, I chased him back to the office.

The Production Manager saw this, and ripped me. The owner came back (with glasses), interrupted Production Manager, and told him that I was following instructions.

From that day forward, nobody dared walk into ANY production area without safety glasses.

 

[Empty Pockets]

When working on electrical, don't hold your flashlight in your teeth

I have a little 5 LED light that attaches to the bill of my cap

 

[ChaseDE]

Welding Safety:

Never use brake cleaner to clean a surface on or near and area that you're going to weld.

When a common ingredient in brake cleaner (tetrachloroethylene) is heated and combined in an environment rich with Argon (welding gas), it creates phosgene gas. Exposure to phosgene for just a few seconds can kill you.


http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2009-12/dont-get-careless

Good advice, this is bad stuff and can stick around a while too. Heavier then air and will sit in low areas.

I work in a few chemical plants that you have to wear a phosgene dosimeter tag to go walk around in different areas, it has to be signed, dated and checked every day. Any exposure will get you a quick trip to medical and possibly the hospital.

 

[Empty Pockets]

No loose clothing in a shop! Ever!!!!


Keep LOTS of safety glasses around and keep them close to every workstation. I have about 20 pair of safety glasses around my shop.

In addition to loose clothing, to include neckties, NO Long hair, and NO jewelry, to include wedding rings.

I mashed my finger years ago, Off to the emergency room we went, I still have the wedding band (both pieces of it.

 

[IRQVET]

IRQ: is that you in the picture? how long ago did that happen? if you have time can you give a more detailed explination on how this happened? i don't totally understand and i'm guessing maybe a few others don't either. are you ok now or still healing?

Stationary Engineer. Went from using floor stripper on a flooring project (in the winter) with the doors and windows closed. 7 hours later, he was back in the Engineering shop when he striked a welding arch and turned into a human torch. Burn unit said they see about one victim a month from people in the trades that wear athletic shirts and working with chemicals.

 

[drivesitfar]

IRQ: i'd like to hear more information about this athletic shirt and welding issue since i waar a lot of those kind of shirts and just starting to learn to weld.

please do tell or is there an entire website that has more information? thanks

ALL: so finally i'm posting without bandages on either hand. yes i need to wear gloves and get glasses instead of just using (or not using) readers.

anybody have any more suggestions for comfortable work gloves that last more than a few days please post up a link either about the gloves or where to buy them.

any other safety gear purchases you think would be worth owning please post them up please.

 

[Know Wosad]

Safety glasses!

Under a Uvex bionic. Anything else is sub standard protection.
I walk in the door and my apron goes on, my shield goes on.
I wear a bionic or my Hypertherm with the #8 flip down if there will be a welder involved. Its great to tack everything up or do a fast 2 inch weld instead of dicking with a hood.

 

[krcoomer]

ALL: so finally i'm posting without bandages on either hand. yes i need to wear gloves and get glasses instead of just using (or not using) readers.

anybody have any more suggestions for comfortable work gloves that last more than a few days please post up a link either about the gloves or where to buy them.

any other safety gear purchases you think would be worth owning please post them up please.

Drives: I have been a pretty strong believer in the Mechanix Wear gloves you can purchase at Lowes or on Amazon for several years. I like that they fit tight and allow more dexterity and feeling for my fingers. A friend told my wife about them and she bought a pair for a gift. They knock back the vibrations I feel when mowing and saved me when I had a fall while mowing about 5 years ago and the belt my hand landed on was saved by the glove. At $20-25 a pop they are not the cheapest around, but it beats the hell out of the alternative.

 

[hoston23]

never use a grinder wearing an UnderArmor shirt. caught my shirt on fire, 3d degree burns on my side and arm. lots of fun

 

[CoogarXR]

Wow, that underarmor shirt stuff is news to me. I am thankful when I read something like that, something I would never think of...