[TheForge] - a safety issue?

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

Thinking about this most recent thread about safety.

Over the years I have bought and sold 6-8 Little Giants. 25 and 50 lbs. 
None had spring guards or guards around belt or other moving parts 
(toggle arms etc.). How did we get smarter than the guys who used to 
own them and faced just as dire consequences (if not more) if maimed as 
we do? Maybe were not.

I guess you can't be too safe but warning someone not to put their 
fingers between tong reins seems like a stretch. Why on earth would 
anyone have their fingers in there anyway? And if they did why would 
they hammer the tongs? And if they did does anyone think a warning will 
make any difference?

Given the way my hammer zings back at my head if I miss the hot iron 
and hit the anvil instead it's only a matter of time before someone 
will call for a double faced hammer to be rubber on one end. Maybe a 
small airbag in your sweatband?? (go for it Bruce;-))

I have had nicks and scrapes and small burns in my shop...who hasn't? 
But the only time I hurt myself bad enough for surgery was when I 
slipped on the ice *outside* of my shop and cut two tendons in my hand.

You can run but you can't hide.

Bob
___





On Monday, January 12, 2004, at 12:57 PM, David E. Smucker wrote:

> Bruce, I like others don't yet see the safety issue you talk about -- 
> at
> least not with the tongs I use unless you are so far into the dies 
> that you
> are well past the pivot point -- and this is something I am not likely 
> to
> do.