OT - a reminder about safety

i suppose this is offtopic as this relates to cutting wood and not metal, but i really want to stress the importance of keeping your head about you AT ALL TIMES. doesn't matter how many times you've done something, or how good you are... accidents happen.

monday i was setting up my saw to cut some floor trim and making a few test passes. despite using a push stick as i cut, my left hand decided to better secure the material - well i laid my thumb down across the blade. any of you that have done something this stupid knows what happens next. blood everywhere, a moment of panic... i got my thumb tied off with some loose cable (fyi direct pressure is probably smarter) and got my ass to the hospital.

WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTOS

before - http://r--a--a--f.com/injury/thumb_before_2.jpg
after - http://r--a--a--f.com/injury/thumb_after_2.jpg

there is nothing worse than injuring yourself in the course of doing something you enjoy. i feel lucky to still have my thumb, and maybe luckier in that i'll think THAT MUCH HARDER about that next cut.

-- raaf

 

My right pinky took one for the team doing the exact same thing. Poor pinky didn't make it.

That's what happens after a long day at work and a self imposed deadline on a project. The brain doesn't think too quick.

High Four anyone?

 

Glad to hear you got to keep the end of your thumb, and I don't mean in a jar of formaldahyde. I've had a few close calls myself and I'll tell you what - safety is never off topic.

 

OUCH, I am amazed the number of people on here that take pics of a fairly bad injury before they get it fixed...... Then again, i've never had a stitch, and I have worked with razor sharp steel rule cutting dies for 30 years!! We just use gause and masking tape for all but the major cuts....
What we need is a post on some of the stupid ways we have dealt with injuries instead of seeking the proper medical attention.....

 

It only takes a second to do it. Just yesterday I ran a cutter into the lathe chuck. It didn't do any real damage, but for someone who spends all day on a lathe I should have know better and not made such a simple mistake. I leaned on the feed lever while adjusting the tailstock.

 

While we're talking about safety....don't forget about your eye protection.
Safety glasses, face shields etc.

 

CHEERS TO THAT!

BEEN TO THE E.R. TWICE TO GET PIECES OF METAL DRILLED OFF OF MY EYEBALL (SPARKS FROM ANGLE GRINDER). I NEVER SO MUCH AS PICK UP A TOOL ANYMORE WITHOUT PUTTING ON SAFETY GLASSES. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT IT WILL BE HARD TO WORK ON MY OLD RUSTY JUNK WHEN I'M BLIND.

BRIAN