Commandments of Safety
(The following is from Fireworking.com by Ned Gorski , Permission to use was granted :) )
Let's face it, most folks don't really read the Safety Information, right?
So, I thought a simple, one page "10 (or 20) Commandments of Safety" might be in order, for us to read quickly, lodge in our head, copy and put up on the shop wall, etc. (I have a copy above my workbench.)
The growing list:
Stay safe, and have fun.
ned
Let's face it, most folks don't really read the Safety Information, right?
So, I thought a simple, one page "10 (or 20) Commandments of Safety" might be in order, for us to read quickly, lodge in our head, copy and put up on the shop wall, etc. (I have a copy above my workbench.)
The growing list:
- Drugs and Alcohol don't mix with Fireworks.
- Wear Eye Protection.
- Wear Cotton Clothing, not Synthetics.
- Absolutely Minimize Exposed Pyrotechnic Materials.
- Have an unlatched, out-swinging door on your shop.
- Perform as many tasks as possible outdoors.
- Wear a respirator when needed to minimize breathing hazardous dusts.
- Keep finished components and devices in safe storage, separate from the work space.
- If something "bad" happens, would it burn down the house?
- Keep a bucket of clean water handy for dousing any burns.
- Be aware of hazardous chemical combinations.
- Perform hazardous tasks, such as ball milling and drying-box use, in a safe location
- Could any of the electric devices in use cause a fire or explosion? Observe hot-glue-gun safety.
- Take a Shooter's Safety Class.
- The Table of Distances is there for a good reason. Separate mortars from spectators by 70 feet per inch of shell diameter.
- Only fire from safe, secured mortars. Safely barricade steel guns.
- Don't put body parts that you value over loaded mortars.
- Could fallout from that spent rocket injure or kill someone, or cause property damage?
- Treat an ematched device like a loaded gun.
- Never remove the safety-shroud from an ematch head.
- Assume you'll start a fire, somehow, somewhere. Keep a water-cannon on hand.
- Good housekeeping goes a long way toward safety. A clean workspace is a happy workspace.
- Don't rush things. Almost nothing good happens quickly in fireworking.
- Pay attention. If you're distracted, take a break.
- If your gut is telling you to be afraid, maybe you should be. Look around. What could easily go wrong?
Stay safe, and have fun.
ned