Garage Safety? Oops, I'm a dummy.

[Beshemaster]

Man, I hate to be that guy to ask... but I about made the bonehead move of storing some compressed fuels with a bunch of different compressed air / chemicals and Schtuff. Sad thing is I should know better with all of the EHS training I take on it.

Figured I'd open myself up to ridicule if it saves some other poor sap from making the same potentially dangerous mistake.

Sure there's common sense stuff like wearing safety glasses when working around things that could fly into your eyes.

Personally, I have the benefit of working in an industrial environment for the last 10 years. New DIY'ers might not know to not wear loose clothing around reciprocating blades, not to mix chemicals (hopefully they've had an edgy science class but who knows) if don't know what the reaction will be, keep areas well ventilated and wear proper filtration masks... all the things we usually take for granted that people know but might not.

One of the things I learned with working on electrical is to always test for AC on anything that could potentially be live. **EDIT- To be clear to all DIY and professionals, I'm not talking about live wires, I'm talking about objects such as a panel door that I need to open which I also test prior to opening in case something was shorted** When I open my main electrical box (professionally I'll use my voltmeter), I always touch it with the back of my hand first. That way if it did get shorted somehow my hand isn't going to contract and make me hold onto it. That and I always test circuits one handed **EDIT- test circuits with one hands holding the test leads** (chop stick style http://i.imgur.com/gZuhzEA.jpg) or use alligator clips. Never with two hands. That way if I get shocked or arc'd across the leads, it won't complete a circuit through my chest/heart.

Anyways, I'm sure there are folks with way better tips out there.

Was interested to see if there's anything else I might be doing that's dumb!

Thanks!






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LXCam]

Pfffft, I opened this thread expecting to see blood and gore and all the good stuff that actually comes along with being a *******. But whatta I get, a lesson on things that might happen if the stars align.......



Boooorrrring

 

[Firebrick43]

Never wear gloves around rotating equipment, especially lathes, drill presses, and milling machines but many others as well. If it catches the glove it's going to drag you in. Happened to a fellow a couple of years ago.

Never blow metal chips with compressed air. They do it at work and not only do chips get into the machinerys inner workings but even with safety glasses and face shields together someone still gets a chip in their eye. A cheap 3" paint brush works well instead.

And most important, don't stick your finger in a hole that you wouldn't stick your pecker in!
Many have lost their fingers by trying to feel why a bolt/hole won't line up in a bell housing or other blind hole.

When opening a breaker box and throwing the buss or breaker use your left hand, stand to the side, and look away incase of arc flash. Never wear synthetics around electrical boxes either unless molten plastic on your skin sounds fun.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Don't forget your ppe's

 

[Beshemaster]

Don't forget your ppe's

1440 degree awareness... or is it 2880 now?

Pretty sure welding naked is ok as long as you're wearing gloves and proper face shield.

**edit- don't... unless you want full body sun burn and burns of other nature from weld spatter.**


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mitw44]

I work in the health, safety and environmental field. I always tell employees that my hope is that the safe practices they use at work will follow them home. Every safety practice you use at work, you should use at home as well. Whether that is safety glasses, gloves, lock out-tag out (you don't need to be as formal at home, but disconnect circuits and block any mechanical energy.

And if in doubt, ask for help.

 

[rockettgpw]

DO NOT WEAR rings or bracelets or watches when working around electrical installs or rotating or cutting machinery, it is so easy to get hung up or short things out.

Some time ago I was using a folding ladder that someone else had set up to reach a house gutter (first mistake) as I reached over to the roof, the ladder folded and shot out from under me. I managed to catch the gutter with my right hand and was left with a half moon gash in my RH ring finger where I used to wear a ring. If I'd had the ring on I wouldn't have that finger now.

A big ditto on no gloves around machinery especially bench grinders.... by the time you feel it grab the glove you are in trouble!

To the OP, I realise that you run a different voltage system in the U.S. to ours in Aust. but please don't encourage the back of the hand trick to test for dead, Its too easy to become complacent and unaware of what else you are in contact with.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Yes, don't test electrical with your hand - that's what meters are for.

 

[wrench409]

Pfffft, I opened this thread expecting to see blood and gore and all the good stuff that actually comes along with being a *******. But whatta I get, a lesson on things that might happen if the stars align.......



Boooorrrring

That's in the WARNING GRAPHIC thread. Get yer blood on there. I even have a few pics in it.

 

[Z2V]

Yes, don't test electrical with your hand - that's what meters are for.

^^^^^^
Especially when you say that you do know better, PLEASE, for you and your family's sake, DO NOT do this.
And an 8" wheel does not belong on a 4 1/2" angle grinder.
Be safe my friend

 

[oldironfarmer]

When I'm convinced a circuit is off, I short it with a srewdriver before touching it. I would rather ruin a good screwdriver than a good hand. I seem to take more care to avoid ruining a screwdriver than suffering a little pain.

Don't get under loads suspended by a chain hoist or come-a-long.

Get a good respirator with organic vapor cartridges and use it. 3M 6500 series are cheap and great. If you can smell the stuff you are not being protected. Organic vapor cartridge stops lacquer vapors.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Use your lock out tags

 

[padroo]

Every shop should have ear plugs, safety glasses, face shield or goggles and the right respirator
Handy. Where I worked safety shoes, hard hats and fire retardant clothing were mandatory.

 

[ToddW]

A white shirt and welding can really hurt your eyes a face shield and glasses is still often not enough to keep grinding dust/chunks out of your eye! Some life experiences.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Yes, don't test electrical with your hand - that's what apprentices are for.

Just kidding...

Tommy

 

[Chief919]

Hearing protection, hearing protection, hearing protection. You can be damaging your hearing without and discomfort or noticing effects while it happens, but once the damage is done it is done.

At 41 my hearing is **** thanks to Uncle Sam exposing me to lots of loud things.

 

[95riosnake]

Hearing protection, hearing protection, hearing protection. You can be damaging your hearing without and discomfort or noticing effects while it happens, but once the damage is done it is done.

At 41 my hearing is **** thanks to Uncle Sam exposing me to lots of loud things.

THIS.

I have spent way too much time around loud things, be it stupid car stereos in my younger days or loud metal working machines, grinders, chainsaws, jackhammers, cars, etc. I have tinnitus to show for it now and it's incredibly irritating, especially in quiet settings. I wish I could go back to when I thought I was invincible and slap some hearing protection on my head.

 

[edward charette]

Check for unmarked stairs(keep them clutter free),chemical clutter(keep dangerous liquids in their original container),avoid kids access to toxic chemicals,careful about leaning ladders,

 

[Just Primer]

Looks like someone just got a new position as safety inspector at the site. Watch the guy walk around real slow and stare at everything real hard and tell you the hand soap is caustic and should be labled "do not drink". You can spot him from a mile away, he's the guy walking on the site in full PPE in areas that do not require safety glasses ect. The Contractor claims Zero incidents for the year even though you know of at least three where the employee left the site immediately because he didn't want to be grilled and made into a dunce or be on the short list for lay off and the Union die hards eat up all the safety talk and meetings because it means endless hours of sitting on your *** and not really having to think or work in between surfing the internet for your next hunting location or equipment. Merry Christmas.

 

[Carroll B]

Several replies about wearing hearing protection. I have good hearing and plan to keep it by always wearing hearing protection. I need to hear Bambi walking through the woods in order to invite him home to dinner. Had laser cataract surgery about 9 months ago and now don't have to wear glasses except for reading. I have to force myself to remember to put on safety glasses now. Even have a pair next to my fireplace incase the fire pops and spits out a hot ember when I'm putting on more logs. Always take my ring off when installing a car battery. One time I didn't do that and shorted my ring finger between the positive terminal and ground. A gold ring can get extremely hot in less that a second.

 

[wrench409]

Co-worker used to flash his fake Rolex......till he got next to a +12 vdc post on an alternator in a Freightliner.

 

[Z2V]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart in MN View Post
Yes, don't test electrical with your hand - that's what apprentices are for.



Wow, lucky for you we never worked together.

 

[Beshemaster]

DO NOT WEAR rings or bracelets or watches when working around electrical installs or rotating or cutting machinery, it is so easy to get hung up or short things out.

Also attract arcs if you're working around high enough voltage.

To the OP, I realise that you run a different voltage system in the U.S. to ours in Aust. but please don't encourage the back of the hand trick to test for dead, Its too easy to become complacent and unaware of what else you are in contact with.

Maybe I should make it more clear that it's more of a good habit to be in while testing everything properly for safety. I always keep a healthy fear of the dangers of electricity and I'm compulsive about triple checking for live circuits with my volt tester. I've run into too much improperly labeled wiring or boxes with 3 circuits running in them.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

35 years ago I was taking a night school class in Machine Shop. Very nice teacher, but he absolutely REAMED my *** for a mistake I made. I took my project out of a large lathe, and left the T handle wrench in the 4 jaw chuck. Nothing happened, but I got a real clear explanation of what COULD have happened if someone had hit the switch on that big lathe and flung that heavy wrench across the shop. Could have killed somebody! Have never forgotten that lesson.

 

[WagonHo!]

When I'm convinced a circuit is off, I short it with a srewdriver before touching it. I would rather ruin a good screwdriver than a good hand. I seem to take more care to avoid ruining a screwdriver than suffering a little pain.

Don't get under loads suspended by a chain hoist or come-a-long.

Get a good respirator with organic vapor cartridges and use it. 3M 6500 series are cheap and great. If you can smell the stuff you are not being protected. Organic vapor cartridge stops lacquer vapors.

I was just looking today for a respirator and filter for" organic vapor". Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[holt2ton]

35 years ago I was taking a night school class in Machine Shop. Very nice teacher, but he absolutely REAMED my *** for a mistake I made. I took my project out of a large lathe, and left the T handle wrench in the 4 jaw chuck. Nothing happened, but I got a real clear explanation of what COULD have happened if someone had hit the switch on that big lathe and flung that heavy wrench across the shop. Could have killed somebody! Have never forgotten that lesson.

∆∆∆∆∆∆ THIS!!
When I was an apprentice I did the same thing, only the guys in the shop kept me distracted long enough for one guy to use an ENTIRE roll of duct tape to tape the handle where I left it so that when I went back to the lathe I had to remove it all. Lesson learned!

I also learned to never walk up behind a person running a machine. Go out of your way to circle around them and approach from the front so you do not startle them.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart in MN View Post
Yes, don't test electrical with your hand - that's what apprentices are for.



Wow, lucky for you we never worked together.

That's why I hate when people change the wording of a post - I did not say that.