[TheForge] - a safety issue?

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

schade@acegroup.cc wrote:

> 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. 

Injuries per hundred workers were significantly higher in 30-40s than 
today.   We now have safety glass in cars as opposed to plate glass, 
airbags even.  People wear ear protection.   Attitudes have changed. 

> 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?

I put a finger between the reigns all the time when picking things out 
of a coal fire, never when hammering though.  As before, no one plans to 
screw up. I am curious about Bruces idea, if it has thirty seven moving 
parts and twelve precision pivot points, then it might not be for me, 
but something simple to incorporate when forging a new set of tongs 
might be welcome.  The common GEM paperclip developed as a safer way to 
secure papers together than the then used straight pin.


Charles