Safety
Woodturning is widely regarded as an inherently dangerous craft because it involves high-speed rotation, sharp hand-held tools, and substantial kinetic energy. In addition, because wood is a natural material and differs greatly from piece to piece, it may present a variety of challenges and possible points of failure to the turner.
While woodturning is dangerous, the risk is considered manageable through education, practice, and a “safety mindset”. The Cape Cod Woodturners Club views safety as a priority in all of our activities and offers mentoring and instructional programs designed to help participants learn to turn safely and develop safe turning habits. If you are interested in training, or have a specific question, You can pose your question via the Instruction & Mentoring page on the Club website, or contact Dave Arnone, Instruction & Mentoring Coordinator, or any member of the Instruction & Mentoring Team.
Common Woodturning Hazards:
Flying Projectiles: If a workpiece is poorly mounted, has hidden cracks, or the tool digs too deep, the wood can shatter or be ejected
from the lathe. Entanglement: Loose clothing, long hair, jewelry, or gloves can be caught by the rotating workpiece, pulling the operator into the machine.
Kickback and Catches: A "catch" occurs when the tool is presented at the wrong angle. This can result in injury or the tool being thrown.
Respiratory and Eye Risks: Fine wood dust can be toxic and wood chips can also cause severe injury.
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To help safely manage the risks CCWT recommends:
“Avoid the “Line of Fire”:
Never stand directly in front of the rotating wood when starting the lathe. Standing "a step to the left" ensures that if the piece fails, it flies past you rather than into you.
Do not force: Do not force a dull tool or blade, keep tools and blades sharp and
clean. Paradoxically, sharp tools are safer because they require less pressure and are
less likely to cause damage to the wood blank should a catch or interference occur.
Stay alert: Do not operate the lathe when tired or under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.
No distractions: Avoid distractions that might draw your attention from the lathe and
your turning. Never leave the lathe running unattended: Turn the power off. Do not leave the lathe until it comes to a complete stop.
Fire safety: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and be aware of how to use it. Remove
finish rags from the shop and let them dry completely before disposal.
Electrical safety: Inspect power cords for damage and avoid using extension cords if
possible. Keep all electrical connection areas free of wood chips and dust.
Eye and Face Protection: Wearing a full face shield to protect from flying chips, debris,
adhesives, and/or finishes is strongly recommended, as safety glasses alone do not protect the face from heavy projectiles. Face and eye protection used for woodturning should be rated for High Velocity Impact by the American National Safety Institute (ANSI) which is ANSI Z87+rating, or the European equivalent, which is en166.
Respiratory protection: Wood dust is unavoidable when turning and sanding so
wearing a dust mask or respirator, especially when sanding, is highly recommended.
Clothing: Avoid loose clothing, long sleeves, jewelry, watches, and rings, and tie back
long hair, that might become entangled in a running lathe.
Footwear: Wear sturdy closed toe footwear, to avoid injury from shop debris and/or
falling objects.
