Safe shop practice...

[froglips]

I wanted to pass on my habit.

I use ear and eye protection all the time. I make it a point to return them to the same place after each use.

After I setup for an operation, I make a slow deliberate walk across the shop to put on the safety gear.

This "calms" me down and I feel much more alert when its time to do the cutting.

The mantra I use is, "If I don't have time to walk 4 feet and put on the gear, do I really have time to do this operation safely?"

Jim

[rick7938]

Good rule of thumb, Jim. The thumb is usually what suffers from embarrassing acts with a utility knife.

[lwhughes149]

I agree with you on doing all that is necessary to remain safe in the shop. I threw a piece of plywood across the room hitting my dog in the nose. After that I always remember to replace the guard on the tablesaw after I am finished with a set-up that forced me to remove it. I also feel safer when passing wood through the saw because I know the guard is there to protect me.