MAC
12-11-2002, 12:42 AM
Today I picked up 5000# of bandsaw with an old beat up forklift with a leaking main cylinder. I used chains and straps to tie it down, I shored it up with 4x4 post sand old chunks of I-beam. I turned around in the parking lot with it and drove over the 2" concrete ledge into the shop and to the back where I set it down. No hardhat, no seatbelt, no safety glasses, no shit. If it had fallen and not taken the forklift with it and I HADN'T been hurt I'd have had to repair it. I have to tear into it anyway (when I get time).
Now how do you compare this to driving fast on wet roads or sticking your hand under the lawn mower?
I have a pretty good sense of what I'm doing. I know the limits of my machines and I am FULLY aware of what COULD happen. I am taking some degree of risk...but if I didn't that bandsaw would still be on that trailer. You can try to make things safe but the first thing safety does is make ppl uncomfortable. They squirm when they are secure. The next thing that happens is they forget about the danger. There are guard rails at the grand canyon...but that floating feeling in your scrotum is what stops you from getting hurt. Gettin used to walking by something dangerous and thinking, "hey those safety guards will protect me" is the fastest way I know to get hurt. You are more liable to slip on the floor and get hurt just because you think the BIG danger is out of reach.
Your wits are all that keep you safe from 99% of ignorant decisions.
Your awareness is all that keeps you safe from 99% of accidents
But you must go to work every day knowing that you have NO control over the unknown or the fate of your day. Every year men done safety goggles to protect their eyes...and every year something goes through those goggles and puts out an eye anyway. We have to loose a few eyes to see our dreams get built.
Do what makes you comfortable but don't forget your safety squint.
Now how do you compare this to driving fast on wet roads or sticking your hand under the lawn mower?
I have a pretty good sense of what I'm doing. I know the limits of my machines and I am FULLY aware of what COULD happen. I am taking some degree of risk...but if I didn't that bandsaw would still be on that trailer. You can try to make things safe but the first thing safety does is make ppl uncomfortable. They squirm when they are secure. The next thing that happens is they forget about the danger. There are guard rails at the grand canyon...but that floating feeling in your scrotum is what stops you from getting hurt. Gettin used to walking by something dangerous and thinking, "hey those safety guards will protect me" is the fastest way I know to get hurt. You are more liable to slip on the floor and get hurt just because you think the BIG danger is out of reach.
Your wits are all that keep you safe from 99% of ignorant decisions.
Your awareness is all that keeps you safe from 99% of accidents
But you must go to work every day knowing that you have NO control over the unknown or the fate of your day. Every year men done safety goggles to protect their eyes...and every year something goes through those goggles and puts out an eye anyway. We have to loose a few eyes to see our dreams get built.
Do what makes you comfortable but don't forget your safety squint.