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Power tools are among the most useful inventions of modern man. Work may be done in a fraction of the time it once was, think of the time it takes to saw a tree in half and then imagine the work a chainsaw does! Along with any kind of power comes danger and an extreme need for caution.
Power wielded in careless hands becomes a deadly weapon, no matter what the source of power may be. If your source of power is a tool, there are some basic safety precautions to be taken and they should not be taken lightly. Hundreds of accidents occur each year and on any given day you can find a power tool accident at your local emergency room. Before you lose a finger or put your eye out, brush up on your safety tips.
Every power tool you purchase comes with a manual. Even though you may think you know how to use the tool, it is wise to read the entire manual. Most manuals include troubleshooting guides to let you know what to do in certain situations. If you read the troubleshooting guide ahead of time, you may be able to prevent damage to your tool or yourself when a problem arises. You’re not likely to find your instruction manual and turn to the right page in a moment of panic. Find out everything there is to know about your tool, it is a piece of machinery, which should not be operated without reading the manual first!
Always be sure your tool is assembled properly before you plug it in or turn it on. Make sure all of the pieces are attached securely and that you know how you are going to use the tool once it is on. You may want to turn the tool on briefly before you start to make sure it is working properly. Be sure your tool is off before you plug it into an outlet!
Safety glasses should be worn at all times, even if you are doing a job that you don’t think requires it. Pieces of wood or metal can fly up arbitrarily and cause serious damage to your eyes. Just ask your eye doctor how many pieces of metal, wood and glass he removes from patient’s eyes each year.
Ear plugs are also important elements of power tool safety. Many people don’t realize that serious and permanent ear damage can be caused by the loud noises power tools make. Work gloves are also a good idea to protect your hands from splinters or flying bits of debris.
Be sure to keep your tools away from children and NEVER leave a power tool where a child can touch it, even for a second. Don’t ever point a power tool in someone else’s direction and if you leave the scene of your work, unplug the tool and place it out of reach. You may consider a locked cabinet for your power tools if you have curious young ones.
Keep your tools clean and in good working order at all times. If you need to change parts or attachments on your power tool, always make sure it is unplugged and the switch is in the off position. Keep your power tools in an organized place, either hanging up or in their boxes or cases with the cords wrapped neatly. With care and caution, your power tools can be an invaluable asset to your workshop and you can stay out of the emergency room.
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