To save and print this information: click on DOWNLOAD - Once through to BOX.COM, click on the ARROW in top right corner.
SAFETY TIPS FOR WOODTURNERS
Ernie Newman
Mental state
Don't turn if under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Rest when tired.
Bodily protection
Wear a face shield or safety glasses. Use prescription glasses with lenses of plastic or hardened glass. Standard glass may splinter.
Ventilate the work-space and wear a dust mask.
When dust has been inhaled a nose rinse is recommended [see yoga teachers].
Shoes with leather uppers are preferable. Steel capped boots are better. A sharp tool may fall point down.
Stretch fingers periodically.
Back and neck strain
Set lathe centre height near elbow height to reduce back strain.
If the lathe is too high then stand on a duckboard with an anti slip surface.
A duckboard may also be easier on legs and back than a concrete floor.
Flex back and neck periodically.
Loose clothing
Adjust loose shirt sleeves. They might catch on the work-piece.
Remove necklaces, bracelets, ties and any other loose items.
Tie back long hair.
Don’t wrap finishing rags around fingers in case they catch.
Wood
Avoid timber with defects such as splits, loose knots or felling shakes.
Don't glue green or wet timber. The glue may not hold.
Check glue joints are strong by bumping the timber on a bench several times.
Inexperienced turners would be wise to choose small projects.
Lathe set-up
Check that the work is securely held.
Check that the toolstock and toolrest are secure.
Position the toolrest about 6mm from between centre work.
Keep thumb clear of the gap between work-piece and toolrest.
Spin the work by hand to check for clearance before switching on.
Check lathe speed.
Slow the lathe for long, large, glued or off-centre work and wood of uneven density.
When in doubt start at the lowest speed and then increase gradually.
Stand aside [out of the ‘line of fire’] for the first few seconds after switching on.
Stop the lathe and investigate any unusual sounds.
Faceplate work
Keep your head to one side when truing the edge of faceplate jobs.
Keep the toolrest as close as possible to the work.
When possible round over sharp corners on faceplate work. They can cut.
Don't use roughing gouges or square scrapers over 6mm wide.
Tools
Keep tools sharp. Blunt tools require more force and may slip.
Use tools only for the operations they were designed for.
Be careful when taking ‘shortcuts’.
Outside calipers may be used on revolving wood but not inside calipers.
Grind sharp edges from the jaws of self centring chucks.
Stand aside before starting the lathe when work is coated with wet finishes.
Work space
Tools not in use should be kept in racks.
Keep the floor clear.
If the floor is slippery lay down a non slip cover.
Remove spalted wood and shavings. They may cause illness.
Fire
Keep a fire extinguisher/blanket handy.
Smoke away from the workplace.
Remove oily steel wool and rags to avoid 'spontaneous combustion'.
Lighting
Ensure the working area is well lit.
Use a movable light which can be positioned to illuminate all turning operations.
Check that fluorescent lights don't pulse at the same rate that machine parts move or they may appear to be still.
Get a qualified electrician to do electrical work.
Other machines
Use appropriate eye, ear, face and lung protection.
Use eye protection when grinding.
Keep fingers well clear of moving blades and cutters.
Use push-sticks to feed wood through machines.
Stand out of the line of the circular saw when ripping wood.
Use guards and follow manufacturers' recommendations.
SAFETY TIPS FOR WOODTURNERS
Ernie Newman
Mental state
Don't turn if under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Rest when tired.
Bodily protection
Wear a face shield or safety glasses. Use prescription glasses with lenses of plastic or hardened glass. Standard glass may splinter.
Ventilate the work-space and wear a dust mask.
When dust has been inhaled a nose rinse is recommended [see yoga teachers].
Shoes with leather uppers are preferable. Steel capped boots are better. A sharp tool may fall point down.
Stretch fingers periodically.
Back and neck strain
Set lathe centre height near elbow height to reduce back strain.
If the lathe is too high then stand on a duckboard with an anti slip surface.
A duckboard may also be easier on legs and back than a concrete floor.
Flex back and neck periodically.
Loose clothing
Adjust loose shirt sleeves. They might catch on the work-piece.
Remove necklaces, bracelets, ties and any other loose items.
Tie back long hair.
Don’t wrap finishing rags around fingers in case they catch.
Wood
Avoid timber with defects such as splits, loose knots or felling shakes.
Don't glue green or wet timber. The glue may not hold.
Check glue joints are strong by bumping the timber on a bench several times.
Inexperienced turners would be wise to choose small projects.
Lathe set-up
Check that the work is securely held.
Check that the toolstock and toolrest are secure.
Position the toolrest about 6mm from between centre work.
Keep thumb clear of the gap between work-piece and toolrest.
Spin the work by hand to check for clearance before switching on.
Check lathe speed.
Slow the lathe for long, large, glued or off-centre work and wood of uneven density.
When in doubt start at the lowest speed and then increase gradually.
Stand aside [out of the ‘line of fire’] for the first few seconds after switching on.
Stop the lathe and investigate any unusual sounds.
Faceplate work
Keep your head to one side when truing the edge of faceplate jobs.
Keep the toolrest as close as possible to the work.
When possible round over sharp corners on faceplate work. They can cut.
Don't use roughing gouges or square scrapers over 6mm wide.
Tools
Keep tools sharp. Blunt tools require more force and may slip.
Use tools only for the operations they were designed for.
Be careful when taking ‘shortcuts’.
Outside calipers may be used on revolving wood but not inside calipers.
Grind sharp edges from the jaws of self centring chucks.
Stand aside before starting the lathe when work is coated with wet finishes.
Work space
Tools not in use should be kept in racks.
Keep the floor clear.
If the floor is slippery lay down a non slip cover.
Remove spalted wood and shavings. They may cause illness.
Fire
Keep a fire extinguisher/blanket handy.
Smoke away from the workplace.
Remove oily steel wool and rags to avoid 'spontaneous combustion'.
Lighting
Ensure the working area is well lit.
Use a movable light which can be positioned to illuminate all turning operations.
Check that fluorescent lights don't pulse at the same rate that machine parts move or they may appear to be still.
Get a qualified electrician to do electrical work.
Other machines
Use appropriate eye, ear, face and lung protection.
Use eye protection when grinding.
Keep fingers well clear of moving blades and cutters.
Use push-sticks to feed wood through machines.
Stand out of the line of the circular saw when ripping wood.
Use guards and follow manufacturers' recommendations.