A Cautionary Tale

Health & Safety Issues - Part 1

Whether we like it or not, Health & Safety now plays a big part in all of our daily lives in one way or another. As a Police officer in charge of a section of Police Dog Handlers, there are numerous H&S issues I am legally bound to follow. This can range from ensuring I carry my Baton or Cuffs for self protection or even wearing a stab vest or other Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) when appropriate, to conducting Risk Assessments, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Assessments when on duty or attending incidents to the investigation of accidents in the work place, all of which I have received suitable training in.

As a keen DIY’ist, I have for years carried out numerous tasks/operations at home with little or no regard for the possible safety implications. Or if I have given it a second thought, believed it would never happen to me. I am confident that amongst my fellow hobby Woodturners/Woodworkers, many have had this approach over the years. We will think nothing of placing our bodies close to a piece of wood rotating at many thousands RPM and with a potential velocity of many MPH, producing massive volumes of invisible hazardous dust, nonchalantly thinking that everything will be alright with no apparent thought of the consequences and not wearing anything to protect our relatively fragile bodies.

So why is it that one day earlier year, I completely ignored normal common sense and chose to chance my luck as many times before. I still don’t know and probably never will, but am truly grateful I am still around to relate the story. One I am sure has happened to a fair few of us over the years.

While turning a piece for one of our regular club competitions, I was quite happily turning away with no dust mask or goggles and getting very close to finishing what I thought for once could be a winner. I still don’t know if it was the tool at the wrong angle, me being too eager or just not paying attention. But suddenly all I remember was feeling a jolt and hearing a loud bang, as the piece totally disintegrated. A large piece collided with the garage wall in front of me and exploded, while another sizeable chunk flew past my forehead with millimetres to spare, feeling the draught over my eyes as it passed in a blur over my right shoulder into the wall behind me.

Before I even had time to realise what had happened, it was all over in an instant and the potential prize winning article was in pieces all over the garage (I still haven’t found all the pieces to date, I’m sure they vaporised with the speed!). It suddenly dawned on me how lucky I had actually been, with the wood passing so close to my unprotected eyes and face. The onset of shock caused me to drop immediately drop my gouge and seek sanctuary indoors, where my wife thought I had seen a ghost as I looked so pale and traumatised.

7 days later I was the proud owner of a brand new Trend Airshield Respirator system. It would be fair to say that my mishap the week before, was a life changing experience and I was determined not to be the unnecessary victim of a preventable injury at home. I really do value my eyesight and lungs for a few more years yet, after all we only get one set of each for use during our lifetime. Now unless I am wearing the Trend or other suitable protection, I will not even turn the lathe on, as the risk is just not worth it! By the way they are also ideal for numerous DIY and other woodworking jobs around the home, where dust or debris may be a hazard.

If you would like to try the Trend before you buy one, the club has one available for hire at £5 a month, so why not try it before you buy it (please see me while I’m flogging you abrasives, at any club night and it’s yours… I’m not a Rep for Trend or on commission honest!) It really is the complete face and lung protection package, with cool filtered air blown in front of your face. It doesn’t take long to get used to it being on your head either and is not too much of an inconvenience to wear. All parts are replaceable or washable with a rechargeable battery, which lasts for about 5 hours continuous use. They have recently come down in price and are now available for around £150. I think you will agree a relatively small price to pay for your continued health…or even life!

Stop Press

Shortly after writing this article, I had to render First Aid to one unfortunate club member at our Annual Show 2005, who suffered a nasty injury following his piece of wood deciding to exit the lathe and greet his unprotected face at great speed. Another cautionary tale if ever there was! All members please note…don’t leave it to chance by not taking the most basic protection measures.

Another Health & Safety related article to follow soon.

Andy Martin 

Property Officer