Skip to main content
HomeSafety Information

SAFETY


Here's a video made by one of our members:

Personal Protection Equipment for Woodturners from AAW on Vimeo.



Download our detailed one page AAW Safety Document to post in your Shop.

AAW - Safety is YOUR
Responsibility

Asbestos Safety

Woodworking in environments constructed before 1980 carries additional risks. (Also, with wood that comes from them.)  These links provide valuable safety information:  



SHARPER IS SAFER!

When woodworking we don't usually think of lack of sharpness of the tool or blade as a safety issue, but it really is.

The link below addresses the issue of sharp tools, but the safety risk also applies to blades in bandsaws, table saws, skill saws and the chain in chain saws. Blunt tools, blades and chains lead to increased pressure needed to make the cut which Can lead to avoidable safety issues.

So stay sharp my friends to stay safe!
Mike Abberley


For April 2019, info on "SPEED  KILLS"

This months challenge is to turn a natural edge bowl which brings its own set of safety issues.
Natural edge blanks are often uneven shaped and can present significant vibration problems due to being out of balance.  In addition the natural edge is like a saw blade rotating close to your hand and the gouge you are using.

So how do we minimize the risk?

1. Round the log using either a band saw or chain saw making sure the piece is sitting flat and not rocking. Wear proper safety equipment when using the saws.

2. Create a flat area on the bark side for the face plate or screw chuck by using a Forster bit in a drill press. Make sure the blank is held securely and hands are well clear of the cutting bit as the uneven surface can cause the blank to suddenly move.

3. Load the blank onto the lathe and capture it with a center in the tailstock for as long as practical.

4. Rotate the blank by hand to insure tool rest clears and get an idea of how out of balance it is.

5. Make sure speed is turned down then turn on lathe. Gradually turn speed up until vibration begins then back off until vibration disappears. The speed at which vibration appears will increase as you remove material and reduce out of balance, so you can adjust the speed up as needed. Speed can also be your friend when doing interrupted cuts as faster speed reduces the time cutting air and enables smoother cutting. Here is a link to a good article on speed.



For January 2019, the subject is Workspace Housekeeping.

Keeping your lathe and workspace clean and well maintained promotes safety.
Get into the safety habit!



For November 2018, the subject is NOISE.  Yes... that's NOISE.

     We tend to look at workshop safety as protecting ourselves from flying workpieces, cutting ourselves with power saws and wood dust that contaminates our lungs.
This months American Woodturners has a very interesting article on the damage noise in the workshop can cause to our ears. The attached article focuses on the noise that certain tools and harder woods can create and the potential for damaging our hearing.
AAW-Noise in the Workshop


For October 2018, the subject is Dust.

October 2018 Safety Tips:
How careful are you with wood dust? 
All wood dust is potentially harmful, but some are more dangerous than others.
Check out this link to see which ones are most harmful.



For September 2018, the subject is First Aid Readiness.

September 2018 Safety Tips:

Tips for your shop wall - 1 of 3
Tips for your shop wall - 2 of 3
Tips for your shop wall - 3 of 3


For August 2018, the subject is Chainsaw Dangers.

 Safety Video - Chainsaw Calamities


For July 2018, the subject is Helmet Safety.  Check out this short video.



Safety - July Video about Helmets


For May 2018, the subject is Chain Saw Safety.  Check out the great AAW article.

  AAW - Chainsaws


For April 2018, we have a "safety fail" story and an important article on face shields.

Safety -- April Tips



Note, for a complete index, be sure to check the following:
Members Only -> Documents -> Safety
Members Only -> Documents -> Safety -> 2018 Safety Tips