SHOP SAFETY 

If you're like me, you've heard these words many times: "Let's take a minute to talk about shop safety". It's not my job to tell you how to do your thing but I have some credentials that make me very aware of what the human body can and cannot tolerate. I was a combat medic with the Marines in Viet Nam and I worked for 20 years as an Orthopedic Physician Assistant. I saw all kinds of trauma and I'm here to tell you that some of the wood shop injuries rivaled war wounds in their severity. A shop full of sharp powerful tools can be a dangerous place and it benefits us to admit we are not "tougher" than this environment.  Norm says the single most important safety item is safety glasses. We differ on this one. I think a safety attitude is the most important. I'm just as guilty as the next guy/gal when it comes to shortcuts and I have paid the price for my arrogance more than once.

The single most dangerous thing I can do in the shop is lose my concentration. If I'm tired, worried, hungry, angry or otherwise distracted, it would be better for me to come back later. If my mind (attitude) is right, I will be more inclined to employ safe practices and safety gear. 

More later..........