Chris Pye - Woodcarving

A GUIDE TO SAFE WOODCARVING

3: Consider your Workshop

Do this excellent exercise. (Seriously... go and do it!)
  1. Stand at the entrance to your workplace with a notepad.
  2. Challenge yourself to think of all the ways you could be hurt in the space in front of you, anything from sharp corners to your tools and equipment.
  3. Get a friend to do this exercise for you, with a fresh, unbiased eye.
  4. Next to the items you have registered as danger points, note safety precautions, and things you might change.
What you have just done is, in the jargon, called 'risk assessment'.
It's an exercise that makes you more aware of hazards where you work. Mostly it is common sense tempered with an imagination like Stephen King's. If you have even thought about any aspect shop safety, then it must be worth taking seriously.
Remember, too, that the chances for accidents increase when children and visitors enter the workplace.

Some further thoughts:

  • Keep a fully-stocked, first aid box easily accessible. Remember you may have to get at things with one hand, and quickly.
  • Include an eye bath and implements for splinter removal.
  • Make sure that the spaces where you walk are free from the danger of sharp edges and corners: things to bump into and stumble over.
  • See that you can easily and safely work around your bench, and that woodchips and dust on the floor do not make it slippery.
  • Store and arrange tools and equipment safely, securely and conveniently. (For example, sharp tools left clamped in vices, with tangs or edges exposed ready for fitting a handle, are very dangerous.)
  • Tie back long hair delete: etc should be tied back and loose clothing (cuffs and ties)
  • Keep jewellery (necklaces and rings) {delete: all need keeping} out of the sphere of activity-and particularly away from the moving parts of machines.
  • Make sure all electric wires are properly installed, and either buried or covered to prevent tripping.
And think about FIRE:
Take every possible precaution against fire: The woodcarver's environment tends to be dry and littered with flammable wood chips, finishing agents etc.
  • Fit a fire alarm and extinguisher in the shop-and don't put the extinguisher in any place where a fire would be likely to keep you from it.
  • Never leave a naked flame unattended.
  • No smoking in the workshop.
  • Ensure that heat sources are safe before using them.
  • Bag up and remove dust and debris regularly.
  • Keep rags used for finishing in sealed metal tins that are closed when not in use, and away from children, heat, and naked flames.
  • Use and store solvents, glues, turpentine, spirit and oil-based stains -in fact all other volatiles - in well-ventilated areas.
Once you have a safe place to work, you can relax and get on with what you really want to do - woodcarving!
In fact let's turn to that now and look at some safety factors which are: Woodcarving Specific

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Contents | Download this Guide
1.Introduction | 2.Your Best Safeguards | 4.Woodcarving Specific | 5.Your Body | 6.Power tools
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