| There are numerous potential hazards in the | | | | convenient and the visor quickly lifts up when you |
| woodturning workshop. Extremely sharp cutting | | | | need to stop the lathe and inspect your work. |
| tools and high speed machinery form a potentially | | | | Hands are next on the list and should be |
| lethal combination. When the novice wood turner | | | | protected by an adequate pair of gloves. As |
| is busy buying tools and equipment it is easy to | | | | wood turners we come into close proximity with |
| lose sight of health and safety issues. You would | | | | some scary pieces of machinery. The band saw |
| do well to remember that your health is the one | | | | for example, can provide a frightening experience |
| thing that you cannot put a price on. | | | | if you place your fingers too close to the blade. I |
| When you are busy in the woodturning workshop | | | | have lost count of the times I have narrowly |
| it is important to wear the essential safety | | | | escaped serious cuts purely because I was |
| equipment. No matter what task or project you | | | | wearing a good set of gloves. They also protect |
| are occupied with you can guarantee there will be | | | | against those nasty splinters. |
| a safety aspect that needs to be followed. Failure | | | | Lastly we come to the subject of dust which is all |
| to operate in a safe and sound manner is an | | | | too often overlooked. Let us be perfectly clear |
| accident waiting to happen. Most protective | | | | about this, dust inhalation can and will damage |
| equipment is not too expensive so there is no | | | | your lungs. It should be taken seriously by wearing |
| excuse for compromising your own wellbeing. | | | | either a respirator or a basic face mask. This will |
| The obvious potential risk is damage to your | | | | guard against any potential problems. If you have |
| eyes. When you are working on the lathe bits of | | | | no effective dust extraction in place then this |
| wood can fly towards your face. There are | | | | safety equipment takes on a huge importance. |
| numerous options where eye protection is | | | | This specific subject may not be the most |
| concerned. Some people prefer safety spectacles | | | | glamorous or interesting but it is still very |
| which come in various styles and specifications. | | | | important to all wood turners. Your safety should |
| These are fine for general eye protection, but do | | | | be of paramount importance when using any |
| not protect the rest of the face. This is where | | | | tools, equipment or machinery. A sensible course |
| the full face visor comes in handy. This is usually | | | | of action is to ensure an adequate supply of |
| attached to a helmet and provides protection to | | | | essential safety equipment is present in your |
| the whole of your face. It is practical and | | | | woodturning workshop at all times. |