Safety from a different perspective.

I don't know if you have heard, but we lost three people in the LA area due to an avalanche recently.

The LA Times did an article and the following was in the paper. As I was reading it, I couldn't help but to think about how it applies to woodworking.


FACETS of disaster. (with liberties taken for woodworkers.)
(Credit Ian McCammon of American Avalanche Association.)

Familiarity: It must be safe; I've done it before.
Acceptance; I don't want to listen to my brain when it says no.
Commitment; I'm going to make that cut no matter what.
Expert halo; I know better than the rules.
Tracks; Other people do it, I've watched them, therefore I'm safe.
Scarcity; If I don't get to that powder stash first, someone else will.
(I couldn't think of a woodworking theme for scarcity.)
If the three people thought about 'FACETS' before venturing out of bounds, they'd all be in the lodge lifting a glass this evening. We as woodworkers would do well to think 'FACETS' while in the shed.