Safety rules

[atch]

Recently I disobeyed one of my self-imposed safety rules. Please post up pertinent information yourself.

For many years I've made it a point to stand still with hands not moving anytime a saw blade is still moving. Usually, I hold my hands behind my back 'til the blade has come to a complete stop. A couple of weeks ago I got in a hurry and my radial arm saw blade was still spinning when I reached for something. I don't remember now what it was. The tip of my right-hand index finger came into contact with the still spinning blade. Fortunately for me I only nicked the top layer of skin and it's now completely healed. This could have been a severe disaster though. (Thank you, Lord, for taking care of me when I was too stupid to take care of myself)

Anyway, watch yourself and stay safe.

Please post up your own safety rules that one should always follow.

 

[tarmy]

My old shop teacher (yeah, when they still taught skills), who was missing the tip or his right index finger, taught us to keep one eye on the blade at was spinning. Our mind would not let us put our hand/fingers in contact with it. I have used that for decades with my RAS and table saw with success.

 

[racecougar]

Two of mine:

Wear proper PPE every time. No safety squints for grinding that'll only take a few seconds. That includes proper respiratory gear, too.

Stay in the shop to perform a fire watch for 30 minutes after any hot work. It's a good time to clean the place up.

 

[Jim greengo]

My new safety rule is to kill any spider that looks remotely like a brown recluse.
I don't care if the little ******* has a fist full of pictures of his grand kids in 1 leg,and white flags in all of his others! Hahaha

 

[alfadan]

Always be mindful of sources of energy.

If this spring lets go, what could hurt me?
If this strap breaks, where will this thing fall?
If the wrench slips, what will cut my hand?

Recently I was using a slitting saw in my knee mill. Touched off on the top of the part and was raising the knee. Yep, forgot to move the part away and POP! the HSS blade shattered pretty violently sending sharp-*** pieces flying. If I didn't have safety glasses on, could have been ugly.

Brand new GD blade too!

 

[Firebrick43]

My new safety rule is to kill any spider that looks remotely like a brown recluse.
I don't care if the little ******* has a fist full of pictures of his grand kids in 1 leg,and white flags in all of his others! Hahaha

We had a guy in our squadron get a recluse bite on his thigh and they had to take out a chunk of muscle the size of a racket ball.

I wish you a speedy recovery

 

[Kaizen]

Two small mistakes and stop the project till another day before a big one happens.

As i never usually take off ground from car battery when working on them, i make sure i remove the remote start from my pocket.

 

[niget2002]

As i never usually take off ground from car battery when working on them, i make sure i remove the remote start from my pocket.

I'm similar. I always put the key fob in the cup holder while I work on a vehicle.

My biggest one that I've added in the last few years is always wear shoes in the shop. I'm a big time 'barefoot' person. I really don't like wearing shoes. But I have a pair by the backdoor that I slip on anytime I go out to the shop now.

 

[MerlinsBeard]

I wear fully enclosed goggles when weed whacking, pebbles can find a way to get between your face and the safety glasses.

 

[cvairwerks]

No gloves while anything is rotating. Once it's stopped, then ok.

If any alcohol other than isopropyl comes out, the tools don't get touched anymore for the day. Not even to be put away....

 

[liliysdad]

If any alcohol other than isopropyl comes out, the tools don't get touched anymore for the day. Not even to be put away....

Yeah, hard pass on that one. Beer tastes best in the shop, and projects are a lot more enjoyable.

 

[cvairwerks]

Yeah, hard pass on that one. Beer tastes best in the shop, and projects are a lot more enjoyable.

Seen too many half lit idiots that needed transport to the emergency room, and a few that went to the coroner's office, when drinking alcohol and playing with tools. It's an absolute hard and fast rule in my shop and if someone can't abide by it, then they get to no longer spend time in my shop. Got friends that bring out the beer at times when I'm in their shop, and when it comes out, I hit the road for other locales.

By the way, most of my shop projects, when they break, you can't pull over to the side of the road and get out or off....

 

[liliysdad]

Seen too many half lit idiots that needed transport to the emergency room, and a few that went to the coroner's office, when drinking alcohol and playing with tools. It's an absolute hard and fast rule in my shop and if someone can't abide by it, then they get to no longer spend time in my shop. Got friends that bring out the beer at times when I'm in their shop, and when it comes out, I hit the road for other locales.

By the way, most of my shop projects, when they break, you can't pull over to the side of the road and get out or off....

Everyone has their own deal....

I don't recall the last time I was drunk, let alone slobbering, but having a beer after work while I tinker in the shop, or a six pack over the course of a Saturday while doing oil changes is hardly "reckless."

I don't work on airplanes, so I am sure I would likely feel differently if that were the case

 

[racecougar]

If any alcohol other than isopropyl comes out, the tools don't get touched anymore for the day. Not even to be put away....

Agreed. I don't allow alcohol (for human consumption) in my shop.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Just like eye protection, I also don't mess around when it comes to my hearing. I always use hearing protection. Have two pairs of high quality ear muffs from 'Pro Ears', one for me and one for anyone else that is helping (usually never). People who don't give a **** are free to ruin their hearing, but I always make the offer and I don't care how silly they think I look donning ear muffs for a few seconds at a time to wail on something. I can still hear mosquitoes buzzing across the room and they can hardly hear thunder. Laugh all you want. At least I can hear people laughing without a hearing aid.

 

[kbuhagiar]

LIFT OPERATION:

When operating my four-post lift, I raise the vehicle to the desired height, lower it onto the safety latches, and listen for them all snapping into place.

And then, before doing anything else I walk around the lift and visually confirm that all four safety latches are fully engaged. This also gives me a few seconds to do a final overall evaluation before walking under the vehicle.

 

[aka Larry]

I think most of us are more safety conscious the older we get.

I think most of us have done something stupid at one time, and got injured, though not badly, but it prevented future (far worse) accidents.

In my case I always clamped whatever I was cutting with the side grinder to the bench so BOTH hands would be on the grinder and away from the blade. Well of course, I needed to cut something 'right quick', didn't have time to clamp it, so I held it in one hand and the grinder in the other. Sure enough the blade jumped off the part and into my other hand. That one got me three stiches in my second finger. Nowadays I clamp EVERYTHING and always keep both hands on the grinder. Like they say, live and learn, in my case...the hard way of course.

A few of my other rules that I've been pretty steadfast with are:

When I have a car on the lift, I don't walk under the car to disengage the manual locks on the opposite lift post. I always walk around!

I never work under a car w/o jack stands.

Even though I should, I sometimes skip using ear pro, but I always use eye pro in the shop. I used to use eye pro for the obvious things, but after one shot in the eye of brake cleaner due to ricochet, I never use brake cleaner w/o it now! That sh*t burns like hell!

 

[niget2002]

If any alcohol other than isopropyl comes out, the tools don't get touched anymore for the day. Not even to be put away....

I have a sliding scale for this one.

A drink or two while using hand tools to work on the 3d printer or some other small project doesn't bother me. If there's any power tools, then I wait until I'm done and just cleaning up to enjoy an adult beverage. I also don't drink if working on vehicles.

 

[luvtheheat]

Any time I put a vehicle on jack stands, I always give the vehicle a good strong shake to verify the lift. Also, use in pairs only.

 

[aka Larry]

My new safety rule is to kill any spider

Fixed that for you. And it's a not a new rule.

 

[Theronswanson]

Safety squints are a fine substitute in any situation.

When in doubt, use a hammer. When in bigger doubt, use a bigger hammer.

 

[Jim greengo]

We had a guy in our squadron get a recluse bite on his thigh and they had to take out a chunk of muscle the size of a racket ball.

I wish you a speedy recovery

Thanks

 

[ATC]

Always be mindful of sources of energy.

If this spring lets go, what could hurt me?
If this strap breaks, where will this thing fall?
If the wrench slips, what will cut my hand?

Yup, I always perform a "site evaluation" in my head before doing something, and going through the "what ifs" and planning for them.

I try to use common sense when working in the garage...I like to think I have a good bit of it still left

The biggest thing, is to respect the tool you are using!

 

[firebirdparts]

My dad was really good at hazard I.D. and one of the more unique things he taught me was to expect a car to start moving and crush you. Some circumstances that is more likely. I've moved a hundred cars on a trailer for instance and that gives you a lot of chances to get hurt.

I think I might be the only person that ever listened to his Dad. I have to be careful what I tell my son because he always does the opposite. My dad was really great at stuff and he was my easy button.

 

[larry_g]

Before picking up a heavy object to move make sure the walking path is clear and that you have a good place to set it down. To many times I've been holding something heavy with no place to set it down.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Old Moparz]

Safety glasses or a flip down, face shield are a must when cutting wood, especially something that has knots in it. I had a knot in a 2x shatter when the circular saw blade hit it when I was in my mid 20's. One of the pieces hit me directly in the eye & it hurt like hell. It bothered me for hours, my eye teared up & it felt like I was trying to look at the sun. No damage so I was very lucky.

Some other things I practice.....

Never reach for anything close to a moving blade.
Anchor the top of an extension ladder.
Place all ladders on level surfaces.
No drinking on the roof.

 

[no704]

When working on high voltage circuits only use ONE hand.

 

[Mike65]

I will only drink once the work is done & everything is cleaned up. My wife & I will sit on the deck or by the firepit & share a beer.

 

[alfadan]

I think most of us are more safety conscious the older we get.

I think most of us have done something stupid at one time, and got injured, though not badly, but it prevented future (far worse) accidents.

We also learn that cutting corners is usually less efficient, wasting more time than just doing it right.

 

[rawen2]

Even if it's cold in my garage I wear short sleeves when operating the metal lathe.

I remember when I was a teenager using a timing light (remember those?) and getting the drawstring for the hood of my sweatshirt caught in the radiator fan. Was able to pull away but it was really trying to pull me in. Scared the heck out of me. I knew better but was being careless. I learned a valuable lesson that I've never forgotten.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I put on a pair of safety glasses when I go into the garage, and they stay on the entire time I'm in there. No chance of "oh this'll only take a second." I wear them pretty much all day at work as well. When I'm going under a vehicle, I swap them for safety goggles.

No working around spinning blades, bits, or discs when I'm tired, drinking, or angry. If I'm in the shop and I'm not feeling 100%, then it's a great time to clean and organize. Or just call it a day and go watch some TV or play drums.

No hoodie strings in the shop. Any hoodie or jacket that will ever be used in the garage gets the hood strings cut out of them. Had one incident with an angle grinder years ago - one close call was enough.

Never approach someone else who is using a piece of equipment unless they're aware of your presence.

If it feels unsafe, it probably is.

I only have one back. If I can't lift it properly, use the tractor or call for help.

 

[jmc.333]

We also learn that cutting corners is usually less efficient, wasting more time than just doing it right.

+1, any time or money you save in the short-run will come at a cost further in the future

 

[johnre]

I think the obvious ones are pretty well-known here, so I'll not be repetitive with what's already been posted.

But a perhaps less-obvious one is whenever I am drilling in low gear range on my battery operated drill, I first watch where the body of the drill is going to spin if the bit binds up. If it's going to turn my hand into a wall or other solid object, I reposition myself so there's at least a 180 arc if at all possible - that way, I have time to react and get off the trigger. If I can't, I pad the wall or object to protect my hand, and watch out for the amount of trigger I apply.

And if the operation involves a hole saw or larger forstner bit, I try hard to find some way to get the piece on my drill press and clamp it down, instead of hand drilling it.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Two small mistakes and stop the project till another day before a big one happens.

Accidents tend to happen at the end of the day and/or when you're tired. When I was younger and still downhill skied, it dawned on me that my biggest wipeouts were when I decided to make one last run down the hill.

 

[Hank11]

Number one rule: Pay attention.

Number two rule: Slow down.

Number three rule: Stop at the first sign of fatigue and re-evaluate your situation.

 

[CraigStu]

...
Never approach someone else who is using a piece of equipment unless they're aware of your presence.
...

I have taught my wife that if I am using any power tool when she walks in to say something, first flash the lights off and on a few times until I have noticed her. That happened when I was cutting some 2x4s on the radial arm saw and she startled me. No accident TG but I pointed out to her how easily a 10" blade goes through a 2x4 and compared the 2x4 to my forearm.
On another front, last fall I came across a $40 coat at Sam's club that would be great as a winter work coat. Turns out it is, except it is puffy coat and the sleaves are a little too long. Up till now I just rolled the sleaves up to get them away from my hands. Before next fall my wife is going to mod them somehow so the are not puffy for 5 inches or so near my wrists.

 

[Kaizen]

I will only drink once the work is done & everything is cleaned up. My wife & I will sit on the deck or by the firepit & share a beer.

Ironically i have never been hurt doing work and drinking. All blood drawn and near really bad things were stone sober.

 

[Kaizen]

I wear fully enclosed goggles when weed whacking, pebbles can find a way to get between your face and the safety glasses.

I have that 095 string on my trimmer. When it breaks loose i've had it impale my legs and the woody stems will draw blood. I always gear up doing the bad areas now. long pants even in scorching days.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I wear fully enclosed goggles when weed whacking, pebbles can find a way to get between your face and the safety glasses.

That's a good one that I follow as well. I almost always wear safety glasses regardless of what I'm doing, but I switch to safety goggles when weed whacking or working under a vehicle.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Being in a hurry and not securing the work properly using a circular cost my BIL. The bill was $27,000 and scars. He got lucky getting out that light.