What safety precautions does everyone here use? and why?

For me, it's pretty basic common-sense stuff. As a core buyer, the most hazardous things I deal with are batteries (acid) and sharp edges on hacked-off converters. Heavy gloves are a must. I still get in a hurry, and occasionally get a harsh reminder of that rule in the form of a finger slice or metal wicker With the batteries, I'm pretty good at remembering to inspect each one for leaking acid before picking it up, even with my battery grabber.

I never run my chop saw without goggles AND gloves. A hot spark in the eye is no fun, been there. Chop saws also like to occasionally grab and throw something, just to see if you're on your toes. Therefore, I'm always aware if there's anyone else in the shop, and make sure they're out of the "line of fire" when I'm cutting. Yes, the guard is on my saw, but it doesn't stop everything from flying.

I'm also very careful not to breathe in any dust from broken or loose converter substrate material. Along with the precious metals that make it valuable, that ceramic honeycomb brick contains other stuff that will stay with you forever if it gets into your lungs, much like asbestos dust.



My first and best safety rule is this- If it looks, seems or even feels like it might be a bad idea, it probably is! Take 30 seconds, get the right tool, tighten that blade or clamp, put on those goggles or do whatever it is that you KNOW you should do. I live by this simple rule, and knock on wood, I don't get myself busted up all that often.