The Health and Safety Aspect of Woodturning
A Yew Bowl With Attitude
“That’s an interesting piece of Yew….”
Sometimes you can see that a piece of wood is going to be trouble. This yew bowl was made from a larger log and what attracted me to it (apart from Yew’s inherent beauty) was the fact that two branches has grown together and fused, That would mean, hopefully, that the yew bowl would have interesting markings. The downside was that the smaller branch may not be as fully fused to the main stem as it appeared. Large bits of wood flying off the blank as it whizzes round on the lathe at several hundred revolutions a minute can be dangerous. It reminded me that Health and Safety is not to be ignored. Such a reminder is always valuable.
Health and Safety
It is so easy to forget about taking precautions when doing anything. We all tend to become blasé about things we do often. It is usually a mistake. When I started wood turning Roni made a point of labouing the H&S aspects of wood turning, much to my impatience, you can read about what she told me here.
When I set up my Workshop I took on board what Roni told me an I have a notice up on the wall that is in front of me while I turn wood. It Says “SAFER”
- S Speed
- A Aside
- F Fixed
- E Eyes
- R Rotate
The notice reminds me of the basic health and safety rules.
Speed, make sure that the lathe is set to the correct speed. If the piece is large and unbalanced, for example, the lathe needs to be set to a slower speed so that the lather does not vibrate or even bounce!
Aside, when something comes off a turning blank it comes straight off, generally. So, when the larthe is first turned on stand aide, out of the line of fire.
Fixed, are you really sure that the blank is securely fixed to the faceplate and so the chuck? Ensure that the screws are fully screwed in, that there are enought of them and that they are secure. Do not screw into soft wood.
Eyes, wear goggles or a face shield!
Rotate, before turning the lathe on turn the bank by hand. Make sure that the blank turns feeely and is not going to hit anything as it turns.
When a Blank Fights Back!
The nightmare scenario is not really when the blank falls off the lathe. Generally, it is so heavy that it just sort of falls to the floor, at speed, true, but it does not come towards your face.
Bits flying off the blank are different, and far more dangerous. They come off at speed and fly. Depending on the blank the lathe could be turning at up tp 3,500 revs a minute! There is no telling at what height they will come off, or where they will go. They are like shrapnell, hitting and potentially damaging anything in their way. They even ricochet off so have two goes at hitting you! (Seems unfair). While turning this bowl, the branch did not come off but 4 pieces of wood, up to an inch and a half each did. By standing to the side I minimsed tthe risk of being hit. By wearing a face shield I ensured if I was hit in the face I would not lose and eye.
Health and Safety is not boring!
Well, perhaps it is, but it is necessary. Taking a razor sharp tool and putting it into a fast turning piece of work is dangerous. However, there are no marks for making it more dangerous than it has to be. I would encourage anyone to try wood turning, as long as they pay attention to H&S. I have eight fingers and two thumbs, I would like to keep it that way.
Phil’s British Heart Foundation Donation – you know it makes sense
