I've been thinking about the "Splitter" thread and an issue it raised regarding the safe use of tools, be they hand or power tools and advice solicited and advice given on the subect. One participant, apparently a very experienced and gifted woodworker with a lot of skills and knowledge of woodworking tools and their uses, recommended against ever using a splitter. Several others, myself included, felt that recomendation was an irresponsible thing to do and gave reasons why. The best thing that thread produced was the point that each of us is his/her best safety device.
But I've been mulling over the issue of shop safey and safe practices. I think that it's a matter of risk management. To evaluate the risks of a particular action one must a) know what the risks are, as much as is reasonably possible, and the consequences should something go wrong b) know what devices, methods/procedures, if any, are available to reduce the risks c) know what knowledge, skills and abilities are required to properly use such devices, methods/procedures d) know the knowledge, skills and abilities of the person who will perform the action e) keep accurate, up to date records of accidents that do occur and analyze each incident to identify what went wrong and what, if anything, can be done about it
In that context I was recalling my early days behind the wheel of a car. By today's standards, my little Ford Falcon was a potential death trap - no seat belts or air bag(s), a stearing wheel waiting to spear me, no side mirrors, no headrest, no disc brakes, no ABS, no radial tires, lots of knobs and switches to puncture tissue, no padded dash and I doubt that it had safety glass. Add to that a 16 year old kid who was certain he knew everything AND was immortal.
Now imagine that this young, inexperienced driver writes a letter to a car magazine asking what the best way to turn a corner is. And imagine that Sterling Moss, perhaps the best race car driver of his era, responds to his question, assuming the question is being asked by a newbie race car driver. And let's also assume that "the kid" doesn't know Sterling Moss from Grandma Moses, but takes Sterling's advice and turns a corner using that advice....
(for those unfamiliar with Sterling Moss - the guy made race cars do things they theoretically couldn't do - on many, many occassions. He ended his career after going into a turn 20-30 mph faster than he should have - hitting a wall and wrapping the car around himself. When the rescue people got to him and started cutting him out of the car, one half of his body was trying to downshift while the other side of his body was trying to get out of the car - he was unconscious at the time. After 6-8 months in the hospital, he returned to the same track where the accident occured and, in the same type of car, ON A WET TRACK, he beat the track lap record. Only then did he retire from professional racing because he felt he was holding back.)
Now let's look at the risk management thing in this context.
a) know what the risks are, as much as is reasonably possible, and the consequences should something go wrong
A 16 year old seldom evaluates risks and consequences are what other people experience because they're stupid.
b) know what devices, methods/procedures are available to reduce the risks
If a 16 year old new driver knows where to look for the brake fluid resevoir it's a miracle. "Dipstick" - that's a term applied to a real idiot. Speed limits, what speed limits? Brakes squeeling must mean they're really grabbin' good. Smokin' your tires is awesome.
c) know what knowledge, skills and abilities are required to properly use such devices, methods/procedures
"I got my license so I know how to drive."
d) know the the knowledge, skills and abilities of the person who will perform the action
With the above context, now how do you think Sterling Moss would respond?
The Wreck is a very diverse group with a broad range of ages, knowledge, skills, abilities and experience levels. It's also a place where "short and sweet" is the form of most questions and answers. And there's the rub - advice given and advice taken should be in a context - for both the advice giver and the advice receiver. This has become even more important now that some new folks in the group are posting trolls which may contain really bad advice just to get a troll/flame thread going.
So if you're going to ask advice about shop safety, shop safety devices or safe practices, please give readers some idea of your level of knowledge and experience in woodworking, even if it's as simple as newbie, intermediate, advanced, full time furniture maker etc.. If you're going to respond to a safety question, please keep in mind the experience level of the questioner when you respond and some idea of your qualifications. You might also want to mention how many full fingers and thumbs you have, along with other info that might help the reader to evaluate what type of risk taker you are.
daclarke provided just such info in one of his later posts in the "splitter" thread. "I can tell you, the last time I cut myself on the tablesaw was aboutfifteen years ago. I felt that tingle, looked down and saw that if I pulled my hand out I would loose the piece, it would kick back and be ruined, or I could take that corner off my thumb and loose a little skin and blood. What do you think I did?"
I don't know what he did but I do know that I'm not going to knowinlgy let any part of my body get that close to a spinning table saw blade. If I unkowingly find that I have a choice of losing a piece of wood or losing a piece of myself I'll kiss off the piece of wood in a new york minute. But I won't have to worry much about the board kicking back because I've used stock controlling devices and I'm standing out of the line of fire. But hey - that's just my choice. Maybe when I've been doing this for 15+ years I won't value my body parts, even small parts, as much as my wood. You'll make your own choices.
charlie b