Dave's Workshop #7: Thinking About Safety - It's Not What You Think!

I got two gift cards in my Christmas Loot this year. They were for two different stores, but things worked out. Lately I’ve been thinking as I do things around my shop. When I make sparks while grinding a bolt I wonder if they might somehow start a fire in the sawdust. I’ve wanted a second pair of safety glasses so I won’t have to hunt down the one I set down. My ear plugs are starting to look dirty. So I took the cards and bought some safety gear for the shop. I got a small extinguisher, new glasses, earplugs, a first aid kit and a few dust masks that are a step up from the super cheap ones I’ve been using. I’m not planning on starting a fire, nor lopping off an apendage, but that’s why they call them accidents. I just feel better having this equipment around.

[Above] I made a simple way to keep the extinguisher out of the way, yet close at hand. [Below] I located it near the stairs and by the boiler (the yellow arrow points to it.) That way I’ll be headed for the exit either way. I know I could just run out the back through our shed, but then I’d have to go all around the outside of the house and in the front door to get to a phone or spread the alarm. Also, if I come down the steps and notice something, it’s right there. (Argh! I just put that vacuum there a minute ago! It belongs in the other side of the basement.)

[Below] The first aid kit is appropriate for shop environments, though there’s a few things I’ll be adding to it, like an eye rinse cup. I located it in our laundry because it’s near the sink. Most of the time you’ll want to wash out a serious wound with water if not soap as well. We’ve kept bandages in the medicine cabinet in this room, but I wanted something more dedicated to the purpose, plus the kit can be quickly grabbed off the wall to take outside for gardening accidents and such. You can see I put the universal symbol of First Aid on it with red duct tape.

[Below] Up until now I’ve made due with safety glasses, ear plugs and a dust mask hung above my table saw. I’m going to keep the new dust masks in plastic so they don’t become covered with dust!

Again, I haven’t had any close call, but when you’re often wielding chisels, saws, hammers and other potentially dangerous objects, powered or not. I think it’s only prudent to have a few ‘safety tools’ around.

-- Ni faru ion el ligno!