Workshop Safety
The workshop can be an extremely hazardous place - some dangers are obvious and others are not.
I have tried to cover them all - please let me know if I have missed any so they can be added to this section and perhaps save someone a serious injury.
MACHINERY
Most modern items come with interlocks and cut off switches to protect the machines themselves and to keep fingers away from motors, drive belts, moving blades etc. However to enable cutting to be done some sections are accessible and so a few basic precautions need to be taken.
* Lathes
* Circular Saws
* Drill Presses
* Bandsaws
CLOTHING
Loose clothing that can be caught up in rotating/moving machinery should be avoided - dedicated overalls are of course the ideal. Boiler suits can be purchased very cheaply.
LIGHTING
Fluorescent lighting should be used with care as stroboscopic effects can make rotating work appear stationery. Make certain that machines are well lit with natural and tungsten type lights.
WORK HOLDING
However securely chucks are done up wood can still fly out if too deep a cut is taken (gouges can slip and dig in). Vices should always be clamped in position especially on milling/drilling machines as drills can catch and easily pull hand held work free. A full face visor is the preference for protection from sundry flying objects from chippings to vices.
CHEMICALS
* Solvents
* Bleaches
* Acids
The main problems here are fumes and spillages. Good ventilation will combat the former and a reliable supply of clean fresh water should be available for dealing with the latter. Care should be exercised opening containers of all the above as fumes can build up. Any chemicals - especially the stronger acids and bleaching agents should be kept in safety glass containers (Plastic coated glass) that do not break on accidental dropping scattering their contents like a grenade over the workshop and workers.
Water can also be a hazard as spilling it suddenly into acid or molten metal (pewter) can cause a violent reaction.
Suitable clothing should be worn when using the above including gloves and good quality eye goggles. A mask with appropriate filter for fuming chemicals is also essential. My own preference is to use a full face visor made from impact resistant plastic.
MATERIALS
* Bone, Horn, Shell
* Plastics
* Metals
* Timber
The process of shaping wood and other materials in the workshop will produce both shavings and fine dust - many woods used for pipe making can cause allergic reactions and or are poisonous. A number of materials are also carcinogenic especially certain imitation ivories.
Swarf from metal turning can be very hot and very sharp.
MISCELLANEOUS
* Gas torches
* Heating
With all the wood dust flying around in the workshop fire is an ever present hazard. At the least a large container of water should be to hand both for dealing with combustion and spillage of chemicals. Fire extinguishers can be brought at reasonable prices - a small car version is better than none at all.
Choice of heating method (workshops can be very cold places in winter) should be evaluated carefully. Electrical Fan heaters pull in air that can be impregnated with wood dust so take care if using this type.
Fire extinguishers should be available for dealing with electrical fires if this sort heating is used - water must never be used as it is a conductor.