As a Risk Management Consultant, many of the perils of "accidents waiting to
happen" have been covered in this thread. I have seen just about everything
in the 16 years in this business dealing with work related injuries.....
over 5000 of them.

The language barrier issue, lack of training and supervision, wrong tool for
the job, working too fast on a deadline, over confidence (Macho).

Most employees are trained to wear personal protective equipment. Many think
they are a bother and complain that they are "More dangerous". The key is to
get glasses that fit and are comfortable and are able to be worn ALL day.
Not just when you THINK you might need them, because you will be injured
when you are not wearing them during a task that you did not THINK you were
going to get hurt.

EXAMPLE: An employee picks up a pair of side cutters to cut the medal
banding on a bundle of wood. Metal springs back and hits his eye. Medical
costs after one year = $98,000. His eye was saved with about a 50% loss of
vision. There is a special pair of cutters designed to cut strapping that
captures both sides of he strap with the cutting blade in between to hold
both sides of the band when it is cut. Price: less than $25.00

Lastly, keep in mind that an eye injury from a projectile many not put your
eye out.... it may KILL you. There is no boney tissue behind the eye... just
your brain. The eye socket is a direct path to an instant death.

Dennis Slabaugh
Hobbyist Woodworker
www.woodworkinghobby.com



"JIM" wrote in message
news
Saw this story on the newswi
http://abcnews.go.com/US/print?id=552076

Man Shoots Eye With Nail Gun, Pulls It Out
Construction Worker Accidentally Shoots Himself in the Eye With Nail
Gun, Then Pulls It Out

The Associated Press
Mar. 4, 2005 - A construction worker accidentally shot himself in the
eye with a nail gun and then pulled the 2 1/2-inch nail out of his
face, according to a police report and a co-worker.

Joseluis Franco, 19, was using an air-powered, Hitachi nail gun to
help build a home Wednesday when a nail bounced back and lodged in his
eye, crew leader Rogelio Ocampo said. Franco was nailing a two-by-four
to concrete when the nail ricocheted.

Franco was conscious when police arrived at the scene and was taken to
St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where he was treated and
released. Police said Friday they don't know the condition of Franco's
eye.

Originally from a town near Acapulco, Mexico, Franco has been in the
construction business for about three weeks, Ocampo said.

"I don't know what's going to happen to him," Ocampo said. "I don't
know if the insurance is going to cover his bills or anything."
__________________________________________________ ____


There seems to be a high rate of these nail gun accidents
happening lately. Kind of makes me glad that I don't own a
nail gun.

JIM