‘Initially treat everyone one with respect – then allow them to prove you right or wrong’
Safety – It is not my intention to insult anyone’s intelligence. I know how hacked off I get being treated as an idiot. Therefore it seems better to lay down some basics in a place that those in doubt or needing a refresh may visit, whilst others with prior experience can just get on with the main part of the content. It also saves sleep inducing repetition.
Tools of a sharp, heavy or pointy nature are clearly better off in the material intended not the body. If you are unsure take a look online at people using tools correctly, but please do not shy away from picking up something new. Most people damage themselves because of one of the following;
- Using the wrong tool for the job. Using a chisel to open a paint can often results in Claret decorated walls – not the intended Magnolia.
- A tool not fit for purpose. Blunt, broken, badly adjusted etc. I’m sure there are many that could be named.
- Cluttered or Innapropriate workspace. A dining table looks a good option but the top never carries damage well, and neither will you when the other half gets home.
- Steer well clear of the bit doing the work. Make sure your body is behind the sharp/buzzing/hot/dangerous part. Marital Aids not implied.
- Lack of familiarity. Many people just pick up a drill and proceed to make themselves look an arse, they assume they are competent, and don’t need telling. Looking the tool over for a minute or two actually looks more professional. A racing driver always looks over his next drive before getting behind the wheel. A soldier will always examine and handle a weapon before using, to understand it’s ‘state’. That’s professional, and wise.
All the adages based on measuring and taking your time still remain vital. A lot of the videos online may look as if it all came about in a swift, competent, error free manner, but the trips to Emergency, the massive clean up operation, the tearing of hair and gnashing of teeth, and of course the mistakes don’t tend to make the edit.
It’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the tool in use. Pick up the tool, see how it goes together, what the switches, adjusters etc do before applying to a work piece. A few holes drilled into scrap wood or cutting some waste fabric or leather will give you an idea of how a tool will behave, powered ones in particular. Doing something similar with spray paint, glue, varnish, wax etc will give you an idea of drying times, coverage and handling characteristics – thereby increasing your experience and confidence in the products you use.
Checking up on a tool that you were previously familiar with, but you suspect may have moved on technologically, as 10 years have passed, is not stupid or implying ignorrance in any way. It is in fact prudent and shows awareness of an ever changing world. Who hasn’t returned to an old stomping ground only to find they’ve put a new traffic system in and you don’t recognise anywhere! A quick look online at ‘maps’ would have prevented the pain and embarassment – metaphorically speaking.
It’s not a bad idea to approach any new undertaking with a little bit of trepidation. The fear of making a mistake or causing some sort of damage is nature’s way of reminding you to be cautious : arming yourself with a little knowledge and understanding before you start is wise and reduces the unease when you press that button. Go slow at first – watching someone experienced online swiftly using a chisel, only to find you can’t perform the same is not failure. You just need the same experience, so go get it!
Have the best light you can get. Mistakes; cutting, measuring, marking, are more common when light is poor. Get something temporary if needs be, or use a worklight. Cheap enough on Amazon and rechargeable ones are great for working in dark spaces and under cars etc.
Electricity. – Treat it with respect is rule number one. Whether it’s 240v, 110v or just 12v or lower DC matters not. Good practice is to treat it all with care. That way you won’t have differing practices across voltage types and forget which one you are messing with. It just makes sense. If you are working on something that doesn’t need to be plugged in – unplug it. I remove the plug rather than switch off the socket. That way I can see it’s not connected from across the workshop or from underneath a vehicle. Once you’ve finished a task/test needing power disconnect the item from the mains. Forgetting it’s plugged in means the ‘but I forgot it was plugged in…’ excuse, as you stumble about looking for the trip switch or your fingers, is of little comfort.
All the standard stuff such as wearing hearing defence, eye protection etc has become more important for me as the years creep by, and I guess I’ve been lucky that serious injury has so far been avoided. I’ve had some near misses but now take the whole subject a little more seriously, without compromising my desire to get stuck into a project too much. It’s a balance but common sense plays a big part. So protect those valuable parts you care about and find useful on a day to day basis. The Health and Safety Industry has basically managed to monetarize common sense: of course they can only do that because so many people show an amazing lack of it.
Question – Familiarise – Plan – Act.
Follow the basic rules and you’ll be safe and secure, discovering new skills and achievements.
I appreciate that leaving common sense, or extremely simple and commonly understood information, out may leave some with a knowledge vacuum in their head. Don’t not fill this gap with guesswork or misunderstanding. Question and verify online to clarify the way forward. I will not intentionally leave anything out, but I can’t fill the pages trying to anticipate every kind of stupidity that may transpire.
Take responsibility for yourself, your successes and your failures; you’ll like yourself more! – (me).
What is familiar and second nature to some is brand new to many, so all those out there who may think I’m being too basic, remember we all had to start somewhere – and that’s at the beginning.
L C McCarthy 