I remember attending a workshop demonstration
of power tools. One of the attending tool writers
was using a circular saw as his associate watched,
standing just behind the saw. I reminded the two
that the saw has a tendency to "kick"
backward when the blade is pushed too hard. Had
the saw kicked, there was a chance the associate
could have been injured.
These were professionals, but they forgot some basic
shop safety rules: |
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- Always use safety glasses.
- Use earplugs to protect your hearing.
- Keep gloves and clothing away from moving
parts of machinery.
- Power saw blades have protective guards. Make
sure the guards are in good working condition.
Saw blades should come to a full stop before
you set the saw down or move stock on a table
saw.
- When using a drill, do not press too hard
against the drill. The bit could break or slip.
- Do not use a screwdriver as a chisel. The
steel tips are not as hard, and the metal can
splinter or break and become a flying missile.
- When using outdoor electrical tools, you should
have a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)
outlet for protection.
- If you have to push or place a lot of pressure
when using a wrench, think about what can happen
if the wrench should slip. Busted knuckles will
heal, but a fall from a ladder could be fatal.
- Keep torches and soldering guns away from
flammable materials. Hot soldering guns and
falling solder cause serious burns and can damage
surfaces.
- Most shop injuries are caused by careless
use of the hammer. Gently tap a nail or brad
to get it started, and then move your fingers
out of the way before driving the nail.
- Make sure there is enough room to swing the
hammer without having it bounce off another
object, striking you in the head. That's right,
I have seen experienced carpenters knock themselves
silly trying to hammer in a confined space.
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Don't
Move -- Remove
By
Kathryn Sellers
Whether
you're cleaning out the spare bedroom or just
tidying up around the house, it is important
that dirt and dust are removed, not simply moved
around or thrown back into the breathing zone.
|
| Properly vacuuming carpet
is the easiest and most effective way to keep your
carpet clean. It may be surprising, but something
as simple as regular vacuuming can also have the
largest effect on the cleanliness of your home and
the air you breathe. The areas often that receive
the most traffic, such as hallways, stairs and exterior
entryways in the home are recommended to be vacuumed
frequently. Ideally, vacuum all the floor coverings
a minimum of once a week and the high-traffic areas
more often, based on the usage. If you have pets,
you may need to vacuum some areas daily. Removing
loose soil while it remains on the carpet's surface
is important so that it is not walked into the carpet
pile. Use a vacuum cleaner that cleans effectively
and minimizes generating dust from the filter and
around the machine while keeping the carpet looking
good. Following these additional recommendations
for effective vacuuming can yield good results:
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- To remove surface soil, push the
vacuum forward several feet and then reverse
direction. Embedded soil is more effectively
removed by pulling the vacuum against the pile
direction in a slow, deliberate motion.
- Use only vacuums with strong suction,
adjustable brushes and high- efficiency filtration.
Change your vacuum's disposable bag regularly
or clean the permanent one.
- Make sure to move furniture periodically
so that you thoroughly clean all of your carpet,
especially under furniture.
- Properly maintain your vacuum.
Clean brushes and replace them when worn; keep
hoses and attachments free of obstructions that
restrict air flow; inspect the vacuum head for
rough edges or bent metal that may damage your
carpet; check belts frequently to make certain
they are working properly and always keep a
spare belt for replacement as needed.
- Change the vacuum bag when it
becomes more than half full. As the bag becomes
full, soil removal efficiency is reduced.
- Upholstered furniture, mattresses
and bed linens be vacuumed on a regular basis.
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