Dronfield Wood Carving Club – Safety Notes
The club offers no professional advice, and it is the responsibility of each attendee to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them.
- ALL CHISELS ARE SHARP. If they can cut wood, they can cut you too!
- Keep your chisels sharp. A blunt tool requires more force and will tear skin, which is worse than a cut.
- Use an appropriate mechanism for holding the wood, to prevent it slipping, e.g. a bench hook, carver’s clamp.
- Never cut towards yourself. Chisels can slip before you realise that it’s happened.
- Make sure that you are clear of people beside you, so that nobody can be jogged accidentally.
- Be aware of the people around you and don’t wave chisels about, while gesturing, etc.
- When you are not using a tool, put it in a safe place where you or others will not touch the sharp edge by mistake.
- Some woods are toxic. Be sure that you know what wood you are working on before sanding. Don’t touch your face or other sensitive areas, and wash your hands before eating.
