Safety 101- Anybody wanting to share their safety tips when using their tools??
- Thread starter drivesitfar
- Start date
SteveW1000
Active member
Remember it's hot and don't pick it up yourself !!!
This one hit home for me because I have been on jobs where similar burns happened to other people. They have had to have synthetics debrided out of their skin. It is really horrible.
We are supposed to wear natural fibers from head to toe (leather, cotton, and wool), because they burn instead of melt (leather boots, cotton or wool socks, 100% cotton or wool pants, cotton or wool shirts, cotton or wool jackets...). I see so many guys that break this safety rule (synthetic shoes, polyester pants, cotton and Lycra t-shirts, those 100% poly fleece jackets, all kinds of other quick dri t-shirts...). I think the worst one is synthetic gloves. They can melt right into the skin of your hands. I try to warn people but they only get mad. People just love those stupid poly fleece jackets and quick-dri athletic shirts... Anyways, at least I can be more mindful of my own safety.
I just went around my garage with safety glasses and ear plugs and muffs. I put them where they are most needed. I also hung my face mask on my bench grinder. Thank you for this thread. It was a good read.
928'er
Well-known member
Otherwise known as "organ donors."
When wearing a tool belt, the hammer goes toward the back. A ladder will teach you why, when coming down. I learned this the hard way, after being told, too.
When using a nail gun, DO NOT hold the work-piece you're nailing into nearby where the nail will be shooting. I know three guys that have had nails in their hands. 2 learned their lesson the first time, the other had two x-ray appointments.
Let the heavy thing fall. My dad tried to catch a transmission working under a lift and broke his arm. I attempted to save a compressor as it was tipping over and paid for it by pulling muscles in my back, big time. Could have been way worse, too. I watched a guy get submerged when his outboard motor came off when he and another were doing some sort of repair at the loading ramp. The motor took the guy completely under. He should have let it fall. Luckily there were folks around and it ended with laughter.
Don't stand in front of someone swinging a sledge hammer when it's raining. Seems like a specific thing to mention but I paid the price on this one and in the 20-something years since, I have been around the similar situation at least a dozen times.
When using a nail gun, DO NOT hold the work-piece you're nailing into nearby where the nail will be shooting. I know three guys that have had nails in their hands. 2 learned their lesson the first time, the other had two x-ray appointments.
Let the heavy thing fall. My dad tried to catch a transmission working under a lift and broke his arm. I attempted to save a compressor as it was tipping over and paid for it by pulling muscles in my back, big time. Could have been way worse, too. I watched a guy get submerged when his outboard motor came off when he and another were doing some sort of repair at the loading ramp. The motor took the guy completely under. He should have let it fall. Luckily there were folks around and it ended with laughter.
Don't stand in front of someone swinging a sledge hammer when it's raining. Seems like a specific thing to mention but I paid the price on this one and in the 20-something years since, I have been around the similar situation at least a dozen times.
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bwringer
Well-known member
Great advice, but can be hard to follow!
Once you figure out the mental trick of rewiring the "catch it" reflex, you can save yourself a lot of injury. I first learned this in kitchens -- if you drop a knife or pan, just get your feet out of the way.
If it's heavy, sharp, hot, etc. let it fall and just concentrate on getting out of the way. Even if it's not heavy, sharp, or hot, your default response should not be to try and catch a dropped object -- sudden fast movements are a great way to get hurt in many other interesting ways.
I find it helps to take just a second to look at your immediate environment, think about how things are most likely to go wrong, and mentally rehearse your responses.
Motorcyclists and pilots (at least the ones who live) do much the same by habit -- as I ride along, I am constantly mapping out worst-case scenarios and escape routes, and it's been valuable countless times.
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A friend of mine (grisly old fella) was swapping a ford ranger bed. He and another guy were carrying it, and he tripped over something and tried like crazy not to drop the bed. During the struggle, his forearm muscle detached and rolled up like a ball under his skin! He went to the ER and they told him he'd need expensive surgery to reattach it, so he just left. He told me "I've got a bad heart, I'm probably not going to live much longer, why spend all that money?". That was about 8 years ago, and he's still kicking, with a big knot in his forearm.
So yeah, let it drop.
So yeah, let it drop.
Something else I do is walk or at least scope out my path I'm taking before I get in the rig intending to back up. Especially with a trailer. Other times I'll stop and get out before backing a trailer and map out in my mind where the tires are going to go. That way I can at least navigate the wheel path on the side I can see in the mirror.
Kind of a modification of the "Look before you leap" saying.
lg
no neat sig line
Kind of a modification of the "Look before you leap" saying.
lg
no neat sig line
Perfectstranger
Well-known member
In truck driving that's GOAL Get Out And Look. Great advice. I always walk around the back of the vehicle before backing up, especially in parking lots.
OP
drivesitfar
Well-known member
ALL: all great tips and love the stuff about checking out your access before driving or doing some work. clean off the floor and always check out your escape in case you need one is great stuff.
1) this doesn't happen often around here so for those of you that deal with winds over 50 MPH bear with me. we have what's left of a Typhoon hitting the PNW tonight and i hadn't had time to screw down the 4 x 4's on top of my Pergola so i just removed them instead of trying to screw and measure in the pouring down rain. also did a perimeter check and picked up a lot of stuff that I'm sure would have made nice flying objects. not sure i got everything, but some of you that move into areas that can get BIG WIND keep in mind that at the least you might lose the piece that goes flying and worst case it could hit another person or yours or their STUFF.
hope you are all having a great weekend while we are preparing for the storm.
1) this doesn't happen often around here so for those of you that deal with winds over 50 MPH bear with me. we have what's left of a Typhoon hitting the PNW tonight and i hadn't had time to screw down the 4 x 4's on top of my Pergola so i just removed them instead of trying to screw and measure in the pouring down rain. also did a perimeter check and picked up a lot of stuff that I'm sure would have made nice flying objects. not sure i got everything, but some of you that move into areas that can get BIG WIND keep in mind that at the least you might lose the piece that goes flying and worst case it could hit another person or yours or their STUFF.
hope you are all having a great weekend while we are preparing for the storm.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Keep a plastic jar handy to store discarded nails, box cutter blades, wood/sheet metal/drywall screws or any other "SHARPS" that could end up in the floor and maybe, eventually in someones foot. After the jar is full, it's easy to dispose of. The plastic jar should have a lid, in case it gets knocked on the floor.
Metal shavings from my mill, or drill generally get placed in a sealable cat litter container to be disposed of when full.
Metal shavings from my mill, or drill generally get placed in a sealable cat litter container to be disposed of when full.
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dutchgray
Well-known member
Never stand in front of someone swinging a sledge at any time, you never know when the sledge head might fly off.
wafrederick
Well-known member
Watch where your hands are and been there.It was my Snap On air ratchet which is powerful.Was tightening a bell housing bolt and did kick a little.My right hand was between the air ratchet and transaxle case.I was cussing a little bit.Another one was my dad was jacking something up with a transmission jack and my left hand was in the way.
OP
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Brent and Dutch: sounds like you both found out the hard way about where to stand while watching or helping somebody using a sledgehammer?
Mark: is there a reason you don't toss them in the scrap bin or trash immediately? good thinking though for certain.
ALL: anybody have new safety tips or want to brag about a stupid or avoidable injury? i'm happily not having to put bandages on any of my cuts today so for now i'm 100%.
cheers
Mark: is there a reason you don't toss them in the scrap bin or trash immediately? good thinking though for certain.
ALL: anybody have new safety tips or want to brag about a stupid or avoidable injury? i'm happily not having to put bandages on any of my cuts today so for now i'm 100%.
cheers
wafrederick
Well-known member
Watch what you are doing too,I did cut my thumb on one of my hands with my own cordless circular saw a little bit.I felt it and healed up fine doing medical attention at home without going to the ER.That thumb is fine to this day.
dutchgray
Well-known member
Drives
Seen sledge hammer heads go fly a couple times, never been in the way but you wouldn't want to be.
I spend a lot of the day watching out for other people doing stupid things and being somewhere else when it goes wrong.
Someone once forgot the safety lever on the loader forks and I watched them push down on a post while my dad was holding it, forks came off fell around his shoulders and impaled themselves in the ground around his feet, it shouldn't have happened and we shouldn't have been doing the job that way but sometimes its better to be lucky then good.
Seen sledge hammer heads go fly a couple times, never been in the way but you wouldn't want to be.
I spend a lot of the day watching out for other people doing stupid things and being somewhere else when it goes wrong.
Someone once forgot the safety lever on the loader forks and I watched them push down on a post while my dad was holding it, forks came off fell around his shoulders and impaled themselves in the ground around his feet, it shouldn't have happened and we shouldn't have been doing the job that way but sometimes its better to be lucky then good.
Slycox
Well-known member
Drives asked me to post over here as well. So here's my stupid moment for the week.
So yesterday I'm out in the garage getting some things organized not real planning on doing anything with power tools just clean up. Then I decided instead of throwing some galvanized conduit I had I should use it for a paper towel holder.
So I figure out the best way and spot to mount it for me, drill a hole shove the conduit in and mount it. Well the end was a little rough so I grabbed the grinder. I pause and think oh I should put my safety glasses on. **** that I'm tough I'll be fine...
We'll I wasn't fine, I had to go into the hospital today and they pulled a piece of some thing off the inside of my eye lid. Had to numb the eye and flip the lid. Thankfully it wasn't to serious and my vision is ok,, It's little sore today buy nothing like the pain from yesterday.
It was a stupid mistake I made. I didn't want to go grab the safety glasses, I don't like them they annoy me and it was going to be a quick job, well that doesn't matter, I believe the piece that hit me was from the disc, I don't think I had even touched metal when it hit me. Just a small partical, but it cause excruciating pain. I rinsed immediately and didn't rub it and that helped for a while but it got worse as the evening went on.
Eye pro is worth it, take the time to wear it figure a way to have it easily accessible if you don't wear it all the time.
I got lucky I have both eyes still, it could have been much worse. Take it from me and be safe, next time I may not be so lucky.
And I finally ordered a face shield that will be next to the grinders so I should not have to hunt for eye pro.
So yesterday I'm out in the garage getting some things organized not real planning on doing anything with power tools just clean up. Then I decided instead of throwing some galvanized conduit I had I should use it for a paper towel holder.
So I figure out the best way and spot to mount it for me, drill a hole shove the conduit in and mount it. Well the end was a little rough so I grabbed the grinder. I pause and think oh I should put my safety glasses on. **** that I'm tough I'll be fine...
We'll I wasn't fine, I had to go into the hospital today and they pulled a piece of some thing off the inside of my eye lid. Had to numb the eye and flip the lid. Thankfully it wasn't to serious and my vision is ok,, It's little sore today buy nothing like the pain from yesterday.
It was a stupid mistake I made. I didn't want to go grab the safety glasses, I don't like them they annoy me and it was going to be a quick job, well that doesn't matter, I believe the piece that hit me was from the disc, I don't think I had even touched metal when it hit me. Just a small partical, but it cause excruciating pain. I rinsed immediately and didn't rub it and that helped for a while but it got worse as the evening went on.
Eye pro is worth it, take the time to wear it figure a way to have it easily accessible if you don't wear it all the time.
I got lucky I have both eyes still, it could have been much worse. Take it from me and be safe, next time I may not be so lucky.
And I finally ordered a face shield that will be next to the grinders so I should not have to hunt for eye pro.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Drives,
It generally takes me ~3 months to fill a container with sharps. It wasn't an injury that caused me to start doing that, it was having 2 flat tires on my motorcycle, at $40 per flat. One was from a discarded staple and a pop right mandrel.
928'er
Well-known member
When I'm riding my bicycle back and forth to the Post Office, I make a point if picking up nails and screws I find in the road and throwing them off to the side so that they don't end up in my tires. On one ~5 mile trip I picked up over 40 nails! Damned roofers....
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
928,
I do that also.
After my 2 month old motorcycle tire got stabbed by an exhaust manifold stud (sharpened over time). Had to replace the tire. That was a $140 lesson.
I do that also.
After my 2 month old motorcycle tire got stabbed by an exhaust manifold stud (sharpened over time). Had to replace the tire. That was a $140 lesson.
krcoomer
Well-known member
I have used this as well and had gotten a little lazy about it until last year when a high school classmate posted about her 18 stitches to the leg after a utility blade got too close to the edge of the kitchen garbage bag and nailed her. I have a Gatorade bottle tied to the handle on my garage garbage can to put blades in.
Derek420
Banned
Wear mechanic gloves when wrenching or using ratchets your knuckles will thank you. Also wear eye protection when grinding I've learned the hard way also use them around break lines etc. I learned that from getting break fluid in my eye..And I'm sure everyone with a brain knows not to open a radiator cap off when engine is hot but my old neighbor didn't know that I guess because he twisted mine off my truck while running when thermostat was acting up and it exploded in my face filling my eyes and mouth full of super hot antifreeze while trying to tell him no don't... Lol Also use Jack stands when jacking a car up if your going under it if you don't have any use concrete blocks or rims. I had my car fall on me while trying to change a motor mount and only had factory Jack I got super lucky I was in wheel well area but upper control arm hit me in the head and knocked me out luckily had a buddy to help.. I learned early on all these things the hard way being just a teenage Diyer. Now I'm a seasoned junk yard worker and mechanic.
If a tool - hand or power, is worn to the point of being unsafe or has a loss of effectiveness, discard it. Destroy it and put it with your metal scrap. Blunted flat blade driver tips, cammed out Phillips drivers and worn hex keys damage the fastener and can cause injury. I replace my 3,4,5mm hex wrenches every year due to wear. I turn the worn Phillips drivers into scratch awls with a grinder.
If you get paired up with some numbnuts who ignores a safe work ethic and material handling, call them on it. Show them the scar, share a story. I will step away, cross my arms and wait. I know a guy who will just charge forward and he-man the job by himself when there are three helpers in the same room. It is entertaining at times.
Use a hand truck, platform cart or any transport aid when moving equipment and materials. You are unbalanced when carrying a load, and if your field of vision is obstructed by your burden, tripping on the sidewalk or turning your ankle is pretty easy.
If you get paired up with some numbnuts who ignores a safe work ethic and material handling, call them on it. Show them the scar, share a story. I will step away, cross my arms and wait. I know a guy who will just charge forward and he-man the job by himself when there are three helpers in the same room. It is entertaining at times.
Use a hand truck, platform cart or any transport aid when moving equipment and materials. You are unbalanced when carrying a load, and if your field of vision is obstructed by your burden, tripping on the sidewalk or turning your ankle is pretty easy.
OP
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Mark: you know i should put my used utility blades, screws and other sharp stuff in a container with a lid even if it's laying on top of my scrap bucket. i have more than once reached in it for a scrap to use and i don't need any more cut fingers to bandage up. 
ALL: great stuff about safety and especially mentioning a previous close call or injury so others might not have to go through the same in the future.
I had a friend come to pick up some stuff a couple days ago pulling a borrowed trailer with his pick up and on his way the pin on the hitch came out and his trailer was only attached by the safety chains until he was able to stop. he didn't have a bolt, but managed to strap it up to get him to an auto parts store.
always check your hitch pin and maybe get a grade 8 bolt with a locking washer if you don't want to buy a locking hitch pin. that little clip works great but when it doesn't OMG things can go bad quickly. luckily my friend had an empty trailer so he only had to replace the hitch pin and the electrical hook up that broke during the accident. you might also carry an extra hitch pin, a bolt to get you to the store and i'm going to start carrying my spare or making a mount for it on long trips just in case i hit one of those nails or screws you guys are talking about that always seem to find there way into our tires.
cheers and have a great weekend.
ALL: great stuff about safety and especially mentioning a previous close call or injury so others might not have to go through the same in the future.
I had a friend come to pick up some stuff a couple days ago pulling a borrowed trailer with his pick up and on his way the pin on the hitch came out and his trailer was only attached by the safety chains until he was able to stop. he didn't have a bolt, but managed to strap it up to get him to an auto parts store.
always check your hitch pin and maybe get a grade 8 bolt with a locking washer if you don't want to buy a locking hitch pin. that little clip works great but when it doesn't OMG things can go bad quickly. luckily my friend had an empty trailer so he only had to replace the hitch pin and the electrical hook up that broke during the accident. you might also carry an extra hitch pin, a bolt to get you to the store and i'm going to start carrying my spare or making a mount for it on long trips just in case i hit one of those nails or screws you guys are talking about that always seem to find there way into our tires.
cheers and have a great weekend.
Road_runner
Well-known member
(i) When using something that rotates, don't lose concentration when you finish what you are doing and (ii) make sure all the various "bits" are attached to the tool.
I was taking off loose paint from a concrete post last summer using a 4" grinder with a polymer abrasive wheel.
Finished the post, didn't "remember" that the wheel was still turning. As I leaned down to get a better look at what I had done, I automatically brought my hands in front of me, bring the abrasive wheel in to contact with my left wrist. Now, if the secondary handle had been on the grinder, it probably would have kept my left wrist away from the rotating wheel of fun, as I would have been holding it (hence point ii)...
I was very lucky that the wheel was slowing down and my reaction was relative quick. Ended up with burns and abrasions across the sensitive part of my wrist. Ended up with a nice scar where your wrist merges into your thumb.
Wont be doing that again in a hurry.
I was taking off loose paint from a concrete post last summer using a 4" grinder with a polymer abrasive wheel.
Finished the post, didn't "remember" that the wheel was still turning. As I leaned down to get a better look at what I had done, I automatically brought my hands in front of me, bring the abrasive wheel in to contact with my left wrist. Now, if the secondary handle had been on the grinder, it probably would have kept my left wrist away from the rotating wheel of fun, as I would have been holding it (hence point ii)...
I was very lucky that the wheel was slowing down and my reaction was relative quick. Ended up with burns and abrasions across the sensitive part of my wrist. Ended up with a nice scar where your wrist merges into your thumb.
Wont be doing that again in a hurry.
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OP
drivesitfar
Well-known member
RR: OUCH. glad you survived to talk about and probably learned a good lesson there albeit the hard way to learn.
thanks for sharing.
ALL: so i took the plastic sheild off my Makita miter saw maybe 30 years ago because it worked better. as i got older i've almost cut myself many many times so i sold it to a young guy with him promising me that he would BEE CAREFUL not to cut himself and he would PAY ATTENTION. since he was a machinist I figured he would and even though i still own 3 miter saws i am leaving the safety guards on all of them.
anybody cut themselves with a miter saw?
thanks for sharing.
ALL: so i took the plastic sheild off my Makita miter saw maybe 30 years ago because it worked better. as i got older i've almost cut myself many many times so i sold it to a young guy with him promising me that he would BEE CAREFUL not to cut himself and he would PAY ATTENTION. since he was a machinist I figured he would and even though i still own 3 miter saws i am leaving the safety guards on all of them.
anybody cut themselves with a miter saw?
Roberts210
Well-known member
(1) I stay awake and concentrate on what is happening with the tool I am using. If I get sleepy or tired and start to lose concentration, I have an old wooden chair I sit in and take a 5-15 min "nap" sitting up. I NEVER work on "automatic".
(2) Bee careful after lunch. Most work accidents happen on a full tummy.
I had a bad kickback situation on a good Delta tablesaw 24 years ago. Taught me a lot. A piece of doug fir came back at me about 120 mph. It hit the fleshy part of my palm and ripped up a chunk of meat--not just skin but meat. I looked at that thing and thought, "I'm not goin' to the damm E.R. and get charged $1,000" So I got a curved needle, my bottle of vodka and some polyester thread and after sterilizing everything in the vodka, and after taking a few bolts of vodka I put 4 neat stitches into my palm. Luckily it was my right hand and I'm left handed. Infection never set in, it healed really well. Still got the scar. Never had a kickback since then cause I ALIGNED THE DAMM FENCE!!!
(2) Bee careful after lunch. Most work accidents happen on a full tummy.
I had a bad kickback situation on a good Delta tablesaw 24 years ago. Taught me a lot. A piece of doug fir came back at me about 120 mph. It hit the fleshy part of my palm and ripped up a chunk of meat--not just skin but meat. I looked at that thing and thought, "I'm not goin' to the damm E.R. and get charged $1,000" So I got a curved needle, my bottle of vodka and some polyester thread and after sterilizing everything in the vodka, and after taking a few bolts of vodka I put 4 neat stitches into my palm. Luckily it was my right hand and I'm left handed. Infection never set in, it healed really well. Still got the scar. Never had a kickback since then cause I ALIGNED THE DAMM FENCE!!!
Ramblin Man
Well-known member
When my dad had a body shop, he had a rule to get all the welding done 2 hours before closing time, if possible. If not possible, he or I would stay after closing to watch for any stray sparks that could cause a fire.
I was using a Dremel last night. As soon as I was done using it for something (but not done for the night) I immed. unplugged it from the extension cord. Removes the risk of accidentally sitting on the ON switch or something, when it's just lying there.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
That's a good tip. I remember when my Dad, Uncle, & friends would make sure that all power tools were unplugged when unintended.
krcoomer
Well-known member
This is a reminder to use jackstands, chocks and work on a level surface. I do not know any details other than that he was working on his car. Not too far from my home though.
http://www.wdrb.com/clip/12852722/1-dead-after-getting-stuck-under-vehicle-in-fairdale
http://www.wdrb.com/clip/12852722/1-dead-after-getting-stuck-under-vehicle-in-fairdale
jimreed2160
Well-known member
That is an excellent rule and not just for the fire risk. A tired worker is much more prone to make mistakes that lead to injuries. I have a rule in my shop to self assess periodically. When I get tired, it is time to limit activities to light cleaning or else time to turn out the lights.
My tip is to buy comfortable safety gear. This doesn't mean it has to be the most expensive, just that it has to fit you well. As an example, there are some people who don't like to wear safety glasses because they are uncomfortable or annoying to wear. Take the time to try several styles and brands and eventually you will find a pair that fit so well that you forget you are wearing them. This increases safety because you will be focused on the task at hand, and not how much the poor fitting glasses annoy you.
johno
Well-known member
Good thread, I even learned something.
The welding and earplug thing, that's going on my things to do list for sure.
I've noticed it seems the people most concerned with hearing loss are old guys with hearing loss already.
This include me.
The welding and earplug thing, that's going on my things to do list for sure.
I've noticed it seems the people most concerned with hearing loss are old guys with hearing loss already.
This include me.
OP
drivesitfar
Well-known member
JOHNO: truer words were never said. once you lose your hearing and eyesight it's too late to get it back. if somebody would have handed me a comfortable pair of ear protection and told me to put them on every time i started a power tool or listened to an engine even ROCK N ROLL would still sound better.
ALL: they make safety glasses with magnifiers in them for all of us that need readers, but i still recommend full face shields and ones with protection for your neck and chin are even better.
thanks all for posting and LEARNING and let's keep posting our thoughts and pictures if you have time even if the subject has already been mentioned.
does it really take an injury to learn?? maybe but would nice not to LEARN everything that way.
ALL: they make safety glasses with magnifiers in them for all of us that need readers, but i still recommend full face shields and ones with protection for your neck and chin are even better.
thanks all for posting and LEARNING and let's keep posting our thoughts and pictures if you have time even if the subject has already been mentioned.
does it really take an injury to learn?? maybe but would nice not to LEARN everything that way.
Mstrfxit12
Well-known member
Dont take safety around pneumatic or powder actuated nailers for granted. It only takes a second for a whoops to happen. The injury below was on my hand and was caused when the nailer fired twice. The first nail went where it was supposed to, the second one ricocheted off the head of the first and through some fingers it went. Make sure you know whats around and behind what your nailing through...
Chris
Chris
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
MSTR: while i've seen a few of those exrays and heard about many more stories about accidents like that i usually read where the person that is involved mentions some pain and you didn't. either you are the toughest guy around or you just let the picture tell it all. OMG that must have hurt and thanks for sharing your pain and your story.
ALL: i keep reading about hanging around in your shop cleaning up for an hour and probably two after welding. how many shops burn down because of leaving when something is still burning somewhere in the shop?
speaking of burning down any of you use stain on your wood projects? well i've seen a garage burn down because of a stained rag that was left on a wood bench and heard of many that have. get the rag out in the air to dry or throw in a metal bucket with a lid so it doesn't combust into flames and ruin your day or year.
ALL: i keep reading about hanging around in your shop cleaning up for an hour and probably two after welding. how many shops burn down because of leaving when something is still burning somewhere in the shop?
speaking of burning down any of you use stain on your wood projects? well i've seen a garage burn down because of a stained rag that was left on a wood bench and heard of many that have. get the rag out in the air to dry or throw in a metal bucket with a lid so it doesn't combust into flames and ruin your day or year.
krcoomer
Well-known member
My dad worked for an industrial coatings company. He always had a steel 5 gallon can in his home shop with water in it for rags that he took back for disposal. I keep a scrap board outside my garage that I staple rags to until they are dry or have been rained on a few times before they go into the garbage can the night it goes to the street.
Here is why I don't put them in a can until it is at the street. A neighbor cleaned out his fireplace and put the "cold" ashes in his plastic toter a few years ago. Toter was behind his house. The flames hit his roofline about the time he was going to bed. If he hadn't been up, he would have probably not made it. Use a steel can for ashes too.
Sadly for me, all of these have either been learned the hard way or seen first hand.
1. Always remember that anything that is designed to cut metal or wood will cut the meat that you are made of without any hesitation. Result: finger lost to a band saw (not me)
2. Even if you have been working with someone for years, never trust that they know where your hands are. Hydraulics don't care. Result: hand crushed by a wing spoiler (not me)
3. Never rely on a safety device to save you. Result: Leaning on a door net on a 777 led to a 30 foot fall to the hanger floor, and a leg so badly broken that it had to be amputated above the knee. (not me)
4. Always secure gas bottles. Result: A broken trunk release on my old VW beetle led me to transport a 10 pound CO2 cylinder in the passenger foot well. I thought the boxes sitting next to it would be enough to keep it from moving. I was wrong... As I was turning into a parking lot, the bottle rolled over just enough to catch the knob on the bottom of the seat and open about a quarter turn. Very suddenly, I couldn't breathe, see, or hear anything. Fortunately, the only casualty from the experience, aside from just a little more hearing loss, was that it put out my cigarette. The dry ice snow was sort of pretty though.
5. Avoid distraction. Result: Two slightly shortened fingers... Cutting chicken, cutting chicken, watching a server slowly walk out of the kitchen, cutting fingers. (Definitely me, her name was Rita)
1. Always remember that anything that is designed to cut metal or wood will cut the meat that you are made of without any hesitation. Result: finger lost to a band saw (not me)
2. Even if you have been working with someone for years, never trust that they know where your hands are. Hydraulics don't care. Result: hand crushed by a wing spoiler (not me)
3. Never rely on a safety device to save you. Result: Leaning on a door net on a 777 led to a 30 foot fall to the hanger floor, and a leg so badly broken that it had to be amputated above the knee. (not me)
4. Always secure gas bottles. Result: A broken trunk release on my old VW beetle led me to transport a 10 pound CO2 cylinder in the passenger foot well. I thought the boxes sitting next to it would be enough to keep it from moving. I was wrong... As I was turning into a parking lot, the bottle rolled over just enough to catch the knob on the bottom of the seat and open about a quarter turn. Very suddenly, I couldn't breathe, see, or hear anything. Fortunately, the only casualty from the experience, aside from just a little more hearing loss, was that it put out my cigarette. The dry ice snow was sort of pretty though.
5. Avoid distraction. Result: Two slightly shortened fingers... Cutting chicken, cutting chicken, watching a server slowly walk out of the kitchen, cutting fingers. (Definitely me, her name was Rita)