Knifemaking Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Knifemaking Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Knifemaking involves various activities that can lead to specific types of injuries and hazards such as the following. 

1. Burns: Burns are probably the most common injury because when forging, grinding, heat treating, or working with metal, it can be hot enough to burn skin while the metal can look like it is cool.  Handling metal with appropriate tongs and gloves, dipping it in water or waiting for it to cool can prevent burns. The buffing wheel can cause abrasions or burns if skin comes into contact with it. Wearing appropriate protective clothing and avoiding loose-fitting garments can help minimize this risk.

2. Skin Wounds: Handling sharp blades can easily lead to serious cuts on the fingers or hands, especially during shaping, grinding, or finishing the knife. Tools such as chisels, awls, or needles can cause puncture wounds, particularly when working with leather or wood.

3. Eye Injuries: Sparks, metal filings, and flying debris from grinding can harm the eyes if proper protective eyewear is not worn. It’s important to keep the work area clear and ensure that bystanders are at a safe distance.

4. Hearing Injuries: Prolonged exposure to loud machinery or tools can lead to hearing loss. Ear protection such as earmuffs or earplugs should be worn.

5. Respiratory Issues: Inhaling metal dust, wood shavings, or fumes from chemicals can lead to respiratory problems. Grinding can produce harmful metal dust and particles that when inhaled can lead to respiratory problems over time.

6. Chemical Injuries: Some finishings, like oils or acids, can be harmful if they come into contact with skin or are inhaled.

7. Repetitive Strain Injuries: Prolonged use of tools or machinery can lead to repetitive strain injuries in the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.

8. Equipment Hazards:  A worn or damaged grinding belt or buffing wheel can break during use, potentially causing injury. Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment are crucial.

9. Entanglement Hazards: Loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair can become entangled in the grinder, buffing machine, and drill, leading to severe injury. It's important to tie back long hair and avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry while operating these machines.

10. Electrical Hazards: When using powered tools, there is a risk of electric shock or equipment malfunction. Using power tools improperly or in wet conditions can pose a significant risk of electrical shock.

11. Fire Hazards: Sparks generated during grinding can ignite flammable materials nearby. Some buffing compounds are flammable, especially when heated. It is crucial to keep the workspace free of combustible materials and have a fire extinguisher in place.

 How to Protect Yourself

Appropriate safety equipment is essential to protect yourself from various hazards and potential injury. Here’s a list of safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be used.

1. Eye Protection

Safety Goggles or Face Shield: To protect your eyes from flying debris, sparks, and dust produced during cutting, grinding, and forging processes.

2. Hearing Protection

Earplugs or Earmuffs: To protect your hearing from the loud noise produced by power tools, grinders, and hammers.

3. Hand Protection

Cut-Resistant Gloves: To protect your hands from cuts and lacerations when handling sharp blades or materials. Choose gloves that allow for dexterity while providing ample protection.

Heat-Resistant Gloves: When working with hot materials, these gloves provide protection from burns during handling of heated metals.

4. Respiratory Protection

Dust Masks or Respirators: To protect against inhaling harmful dust particles, fumes, and vapors created during grinding, cutting, and heat treating. Use appropriate respiration equipment based on the materials you work with.

Fume Extraction or Ventilation Systems:  Proper ventilation will help ensure a safer breathing environment.

5. Body Protection

Aprons: A leather or flame-resistant apron can protect your body from hot metal splashes, sparks, and sharp objects.

Long-Sleeved Clothing: Wear durable, non-flammable materials and avoid loose clothing that could get caught in equipment.

6. Foot Protection

Steel-Toed Boots: To protect your feet from heavy objects or tools that may fall. Shoes should also be slip-resistant to prevent falls.

7. Quenching Protection

Appropriate Liquid:  Ensure you use a liquid that is appropriate for the metal being treated (e.g., oil, water) and that the liquid is safe from heated metals to prevent splattering and steam explosions. Use tongs or other tools to submerge hot materials into the quenching medium to avoid burns and injuries.

8. First Aid and Fire Equipment

First Aid Kit: Have a well-stocked first aid kit readily accessible in your workspace for immediate treatment of minor injuries like cuts, burns, or abrasions.

Fire Extinguisher: Keep a suitable fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you check your fire extinguisher expiry date from time to time. 

By using the appropriate safety equipment and personal protective gear, you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries and accidents. Always prioritize safety and make sure that your workspace is equipped for safe practice