Official Luthiers Forum!

My birthday has just passed and my partner Heather put together a little shop safety kit for me. She has a habit of running into people that have lost fingers and wants me to be prepared.

This got me to thinking, what should one have in the shop just in case you do have a nasty accident? If you cut your finger off, you'd want a clean container to put it in, a clean towel to compress the wound, ice in the freezer.

What else does everyone keep in their shop that you hope you never need?

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

My cell phone is always with me in the shop. My brother had me put Quick Clot in the first aid kit.

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Aoibeann

I just came in from the shop from burning my finger on the bending pipe and read this post. Yes, I had burn ointment in my first aid kit.
A "charged" fire extinguisher should be in every shop along with a telephone or an intercom system to call for help, IMHO. I work alone so I like to keep my cell on me. The first aid kit should have your usual and I like to keep eye wash on hand. The biggest deterrent against self inflicted injuries is your head, if I'm not focused or if I'm tired, distracted, I force myself to walk away from sharp objects.
We need these little "Keep Safe" reminder posts...I know I tend to get too complacent in the shop.

Clinton

Something I 've been meaning to do. Thanks for the reminder.

Ditto about the extinguisher and keep it near the door, not deep in the shop.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

A big angry dog - but that depends on your neighborhood.

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

As mentioned earlier, burn ointment is good to have on hand, but in the event of a burn my first course of action is ice, ASAP. If you get the ice on fast enough it can trick the brain into thinking that nothing has happened or that it is at least not as bad, this will cut down on the swelling and blistering that follows so the injury will heel faster. Elevating the injury above the heart is also good.
“Out think the Brain because the Brain over compensates”

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Rich S

"The inconvenience of poor quality will linger long after the thrill of a bargain has been forgotten"

David bro I just went through this - assembling a first aid kit for my shop and I found this article on Fine Woodworking's site written by a doc who is a wood worker. He provides an inventory list that is excellent.

http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Workshop/WorkshopArticle.aspx?id=29323

An intercom system...now that's a good idea.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Hesh, good article, thanks.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

First aid kit accessible with one hand.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

after i finish crying like a baby, i run to the first aid kit, and then next door to the dr. i make sure though the kit is well stocked, i use it, but has been awhile since bill had to fix me up and I then had to clean his shop.