Safey Checkup for the New Year
So today I'm browsing around here on Lumberjocks, checking out the projects, the blogs, and the workshops.
I always play a little game when I'm checking out the workshops, "where in the world is the extinguisher" sorta like that "Where's Waldo" I give bonus points when I spot em.
I also am on the look out for those "hidden" and not so hidden "GOTCHA's" you know those things we know we shouldn't do, but heck its only a minute, what could it hurt. Then we move on and forget about it, only for it to come back when we least expect it and bite us.
When I worked building houses, and also when I was doing demo work, I always talked to my helpers about making sure if you didn't back the nails out, MAKE SURE to turn em down, but there's always that one time, someone forgets are gets in a hurry and in a snap, "OUCH"
So what has caught my eye lately, is spotting hazards next to gas water heaters, whether is cardboard boxes stored right up against em, or flammable contains in very close proximity to them.
One of the reasons I'm posting this tonight is I'm a volunteer firefighter in my little town, so I see and hear about fires from all over the place. If shining a little light here on Lumberjocks saves just one workshop, I've done my duty. I don't want to read about one of us losing our workshops to fire, we have way too much fun in em to have something happen to them.
So a couple of simple things we all can check next time we're out in the shops:
Keep things stored away from your water heater and breaker boxes.
Check your fire extinguisher, and give it a shake to keep the powder inside it loose, twice a year is good.
Check that smoke detector, and replace its battery. If you don't have one in the workshop at least have one inside the door leading into your workshop.
Check those dust collectors at the end of the day, never know when you might have sucked up a piece of metal and sparked a smoldering fire.
If you're not using it unplug it, battery charges, sanders, saws, etc.
Feel free to add on any of your safety tips too, I'm always on the look out for new ones in my shop too, one can never have enough eyes to watch everything.
Oh yeah I learned this at the Shell Refinery I worked at, when someone points out a safety concern to you, and you don't know how to respond …. "Thank you for considering my Safety"
So today I'm browsing around here on Lumberjocks, checking out the projects, the blogs, and the workshops.
I always play a little game when I'm checking out the workshops, "where in the world is the extinguisher" sorta like that "Where's Waldo" I give bonus points when I spot em.
I also am on the look out for those "hidden" and not so hidden "GOTCHA's" you know those things we know we shouldn't do, but heck its only a minute, what could it hurt. Then we move on and forget about it, only for it to come back when we least expect it and bite us.
When I worked building houses, and also when I was doing demo work, I always talked to my helpers about making sure if you didn't back the nails out, MAKE SURE to turn em down, but there's always that one time, someone forgets are gets in a hurry and in a snap, "OUCH"
So what has caught my eye lately, is spotting hazards next to gas water heaters, whether is cardboard boxes stored right up against em, or flammable contains in very close proximity to them.
One of the reasons I'm posting this tonight is I'm a volunteer firefighter in my little town, so I see and hear about fires from all over the place. If shining a little light here on Lumberjocks saves just one workshop, I've done my duty. I don't want to read about one of us losing our workshops to fire, we have way too much fun in em to have something happen to them.
So a couple of simple things we all can check next time we're out in the shops:
Keep things stored away from your water heater and breaker boxes.
Check your fire extinguisher, and give it a shake to keep the powder inside it loose, twice a year is good.
Check that smoke detector, and replace its battery. If you don't have one in the workshop at least have one inside the door leading into your workshop.
Check those dust collectors at the end of the day, never know when you might have sucked up a piece of metal and sparked a smoldering fire.
If you're not using it unplug it, battery charges, sanders, saws, etc.
Feel free to add on any of your safety tips too, I'm always on the look out for new ones in my shop too, one can never have enough eyes to watch everything.
Oh yeah I learned this at the Shell Refinery I worked at, when someone points out a safety concern to you, and you don't know how to respond …. "Thank you for considering my Safety"