The webbing injury point is such practical wisdom, way more memorable than generic 'be careful' warnings. Teaching students to squeeze theirown hand first creates a physical anchor for the safety lesson that'll stick when they're actually at the machine. I remeber learning to use a drill press and nobody mentioned material securing, just vaguely gesturing at clamps. The progression from teaching slow operation to preventing rushing once familiar is spot-on.
As gruesome as it sounds, I also have them simulate what it would be like to have a missing finger or thumb. Can you open that door? Can you play your video game (because that's important to them)?
Thank you for specifically adding that. I incorporate that as part of our general shop safety but it should be reiterated here. I'll make sure to note it for future posts.
A cautionary tale. This fellow is in a hurry, goes to bore a hole in some bar stock which he is holding with just his left hand, with the long end of the stock on the right, then bends over to eyeball it at the level of the stock, then pulls on the quill. The drill bit seized in the stock, which instantly rotated right to left. It hit him square in the face, which knocked him across the shop after first shattering his upper jaw and mid face. This is why the longer end goes on your left, so it hits the drill press column, and not your face. I explained this to him as I began to fix the damage, which left him scarred emotionally, as well as physically. And it had to go through Workman's Comp, which made it even more fun.
The webbing injury point is such practical wisdom, way more memorable than generic 'be careful' warnings. Teaching students to squeeze theirown hand first creates a physical anchor for the safety lesson that'll stick when they're actually at the machine. I remeber learning to use a drill press and nobody mentioned material securing, just vaguely gesturing at clamps. The progression from teaching slow operation to preventing rushing once familiar is spot-on.
Thank you for your comment.
As gruesome as it sounds, I also have them simulate what it would be like to have a missing finger or thumb. Can you open that door? Can you play your video game (because that's important to them)?
Another caution would be the great potential danger for things such as long hair, hoodie ties, etc to get caught and pulled into the spinning chuck.
Thank you for specifically adding that. I incorporate that as part of our general shop safety but it should be reiterated here. I'll make sure to note it for future posts.
A cautionary tale. This fellow is in a hurry, goes to bore a hole in some bar stock which he is holding with just his left hand, with the long end of the stock on the right, then bends over to eyeball it at the level of the stock, then pulls on the quill. The drill bit seized in the stock, which instantly rotated right to left. It hit him square in the face, which knocked him across the shop after first shattering his upper jaw and mid face. This is why the longer end goes on your left, so it hits the drill press column, and not your face. I explained this to him as I began to fix the damage, which left him scarred emotionally, as well as physically. And it had to go through Workman's Comp, which made it even more fun.
Yes! Thank you for adding that. What an unfortunate and costly great example of that principle. I'll make sure that it's noted in future posts.
Seems like a boring topic, but you drilled down into the details quite well.
Thank you Jeremy!
“Drilled down into…” Hahaha