I just received my December 2009 issue of Fine Woodworking and was disappointed to see not just one but three articles showing people using power tools without wearing safety glasses. You can talk all day about the best bevel angles for plane blades or the proper set for the teeth of a dovetail saw. But if there’s anything to be a real stickler about, safety is it.
One of the people pictured is an editor of the magazine. Another is a legendary teacher. I’d never presume to know more about woodworking than any of these folks, but I will say this: when turning, you should always at the very least wear safety glasses -- if not a full face shield. (Not to mention ear protection.) And to see a picture of someone using a grinder without safety glasses makes me cringe (just ask Roy Underhill how it feels to get a metal shaving in your eye – and that was from a foot-powered grinding wheel).
If the folks in this issue choose not to wear safety glasses in their own shops, that’s their business. To be sure, the responsibility of safety ultimately lies with the individual woodworker. But for anyone on the edge about whether or not to use safety glasses, it doesn't help to see photos of accomplished woodworkers not using them. What’s the case for it? Sell me on not using eye protection while using a router (with your face positioned close to the cutting action) or cutting tenons on a tablesaw. One of the people was using a jointer, and while there might be a lower risk of eye injury using that machine, the risk/reward equation doesn’t measure up. Risk: everything / Reward: saving the work it takes to put safety glasses on your face.
Also, all three people were wearing standard eyeglasses. I’ve never understood why people think that standard glasses could provide protection from pieces of wood hurtling toward them at 250 miles per hour. If I had a chunk of wood shot back at my face by a tablesaw (and I have), I sure wouldn’t want shards of glass traveling along with it. Even if these eyeglasses are fitted with impact-resistant lenses, they still don’t provide adequate protection. Like everything else in Fine Woodworking, it’s all about using the right tool for the job.
I’ve read many articles about safety in Fine Woodworking over the years, so I’m not suggesting they are not conscious of safety. The other people featured in this issue were wearing safety glasses and ear protection. But like doing woodworking itself, you have to be vigilant about safety every single time. If you make it a habit, it isn’t difficult. I mean, in staging photos for publication, here’s your checklist: ear protection (check), eye protection (check). Anything less shouldn't make it into the magazine.
I urge all woodworking magazines to print some kind of safety tip or instruction in every issue. Make it a regular feature. More than any legal disclaimer, that would show readers the importance of safety and the magazine’s commitment to it. If I get a response from Fine Woodworking, I'll post it.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Dear Fine Woodworking
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4 Comments:
Nice post. I know from the short time that I've been putting content out there that if you don't protect yourself, at some point, someone is going to call you out. I would think with as many years as FWW has been at this game, they would dot those I's and cross those t's just to avoid dealing with the backlash! lol
But you bring up a good point. If you follow the general safety guidelines long enough, it really does start to become second nature and you don't even think twice about it.
Oh please. Honestly, if you are not mature enough to realize that you need safety gear in some situations, you really shouldn't be working wood or doing much of anything else.
I think FWW is writing to adults.
What is written or shown in an image in a magazine has exactly ZERO effect on how I conduct myself in my own shop with regard to safety.
Apparently the same is true of you and the Wood Whisperer. Good enough.
I was told by an optometrist that standard eyeglasses have to pass a test, a 1 inch diameter steel ball dropped onto the lens from a height of 4 feet. This does not mean they are a replacement for safety glasses. While there may be no side shields on the glasses in the photos they may very well have safety lenses. Again I do not mean to discount your observation on safety.
Mike
Hey Mitch great to see you posting again.
I'll never forget the time a cheap pair of safety glasses saved some ones eyes at the table saw. Quite an ugly scene but it could have been a lot worse.
I teach students all day long andI'd have to disagree with Larry that FWW is necessarily catering to an adult population. From my perspective there is a significant readership demographic out there that are youth and believe it or not look to the contributors of that publication as role models.
Do they necessarily mimic everything they see? probably not. And I can't say for sure if they pick out details like someone not wearing safety gear or not I know I didn't. But that isn't the point I'm trying to make. As a publication devoted to a potentially dangerous craft the editors should be "over-emphasizing" the safety issue to its readers to help drive home the point. Subtle gestures like simple safety glasses are nice but perhaps full body haz-mat suits would make a stronger statement.
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