Or running with X-Actos. Or drills. Or saying, “It should be fine,” as we underestimate loading on the old sawhorse. Although the expression “running with scissors” gets a laugh now, it was in a safety film for children over 60 years ago. Nothing has changed. We enthusiastic and fun-loving humans continue to throw caution to the wind in our pursuit of project achievement.
In my work as a technical counselor, one of the topics I include in builder orientation is shop safety. Most of the time, the builder hasn’t given it a thought. “Have you had a bad accident in your workshop? If so, what caused it?” I ask.
This question releases a flood of stories. Most of us can relate our own. Some are serious. Here are some tips and suggestions to avoid pain and suffering.
Walking into things. We all do it. It’s a combination of thinking of something else and not looking where we are going. In a hangar or garage, there are plenty of opportunities to hit our head or trip over something. High-wing aircraft present an especially dangerous silhouette, with surfaces and spoilers in our visual invisible zone. Prevent this by making a rule to “be in the moment” when navigating the shop and arranging things for safety and visibility. Hang ribbons on items that are just above eye level.
Read the fine print. Like the terms of service that come with apps and software, we tune out tiny print. The reason the manufacturer uses tiny print is that it won’t fit in the box otherwise. So I assume the smaller the print, the more important it is to read, right? With instructions and especially chemicals, I recommend you get the magnifying glass out and read it. Highlight anything that you think is important and put this in your build manual for reference.
What-if attitude. Think actions through. “What if I start the engine for the first time and the tail is not tied down?”
Eye and facial injuries. These are serious. Many of us have suffered one. Wear goggles or other full-face protection. It’s worth it to get items that fit and are comfortable. Otherwise, you won’t use them.
Ladders and step stools. We use these all the time, but we can easily lose our balance if we’re not paying attention. Store them when not in use.
Slow injuries. These include loss of hearing, exposure to carcinogenic chemicals and lung damage. Wear earplugs, eye protection and a mask when working with loud tools and sanding or spot painting. Paint booth work requires a full suit with an air supply.
A Few Other Safety Tips
Beyond these potential land mines, it’s worth thinking about other lofty shop goals. Such as: Take your time on a job because rushing will only slow you down in the end. Get training on tools and techniques. Use protective equipment. Think ahead. And, finally, read and have Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on hand for chemicals
As a tech counselor, I still see builders and mechanics flout critical safety practices in the interest of saving time. Their earplugs are on the bench across the room. “Just this one time.” But every time we take a safety shortcut, it could bite us. Cumulative bites take chunks out. Then we wonder why we can’t hear or catch our breath.
Oh, and don’t run with scissors.
