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Safey Checkup for the New Year

2K views 9 replies 10 participants last post by  GadgetXX 
#1 ·
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"
 
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#2 ·
Simple first aid kids are cheap, keep a few stashed away where you can get to em when you actually need em.

The best safety advice i ever got was from my grampa, and is the reason I haven't sliced off an appendage yet. "Before doing anything, stop and ask yourself, 'Is this stupid?'. If the answer is yes, don't do it."
 
#6 ·
I've got a couple first aid kits and a couple extinguishers. I believe the extinquishers need recharged and all the good stuff has been used out of the kits. LOL. But they're there. I guess there's no better time then the present to update everything. Thanks for the reminder.
 
#7 ·
Nicely done my friend….I work for a large engineering/materials testing firm and we follow a fairly strict safety program. I really appreciate how your post used an even tone and real-world examples to demonstrate your point. At my office, I find the "catch more flies with honey" approach works best when you try to impress safety issues upon employees. It just seems counterproductive to jam things down people's throats and try to be forceful…..I applaude your efforts, and I will be purchasing an extinguisher for my own shop asap.
 
#8 ·
Thank you for considering all our safety. Who knows? Just posting that might have saved a dozen or so near fatalities. Thank you for your recommendations on preventive measures. I will add that to my list of to dos this week.

David
 
#10 ·
I have extinguishers in my house and wood-shop, right by the door, but I do not have them in either of the auto-shops. I just called a friend in the fire prevention business and he is going to drop of 5 or 6 10# units for me. they will be checked, charged and ready to go. The cost….. Nothing, he borrowed the Skid Loader a while back, and this is the help in return. It does not get better than that!!

Thanks for the reminder

Mike
 
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