by samuel samson

Created on: December 07, 2008

Speaking practically, its harder to get a project done without thumbs. Really all of your fingers are important but without those opposable thumbs we're not all that special. With that in mind, I propose that utmost care should be taken at all times while working with power tools. This goes not only for rookies but for pros also. Often, we get our minds off of what we have our hands on and start thinking about the next step, or dinner or whatever else makes our minds wander. This is dangerous beyond belief. It only takes an instant of carelessness and an accident has happened. Always keep a healthy respect and even a little fear when using power tools. This will keep your senses on edge and help you keep all of your digits. Let's look at a short list that may also help keep you safe.

One of the main causes of accidents is the improper use of power tools. Reading directions is not a silly thing to do. Even if you've used similar tools before, each tool has its own nuances. Get to know them. Most tools are made to be safe when used properly, its usually when we try to take shortcuts that bad results occur.

Always keep your work station free of clutter. Cutoffs from saws often pile up around the table. These can easily cause a stumble or misstep, and if that happens when you have a saw or drill in your hands, watch out. So keeping a clean, clutter-free area is important.

Wear proper safety equipment. Goggles, gloves, kneepads, and all the other safety items you can get your hands on should be worn. Don't worry about making a fashion statement, worry more about making it through in one piece. Eye protection especially should be worn at all times. Even if you feel there is no chance for something to fly into your eye, conditions are often so unpredictable that you can be injured in a literal blink of an eye.

Maybe the most important thing that can be done is to just keep focused on what you are doing. Use simple mental exercises to keep your mind from wandering away from the task at hand. Go through the steps of each activity in your mind as if you were doing them for real. This will help you form a picture of the steps to perform. Repeat each step to yourself as you are performing them to keep your mind sharply focused. This may sound a little corny and you may want to come up with your own trick, but the key is to not lose track of what you are doing.

Respect the equipment, don't try things you don't feel comfortable with, and be safe. Hopefully injuries do not come your way.

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