[sammons]

Had a flash explosion just a half a block from me late saturday afternoon. I took dog out to pee about that time, didn't hear anything, maybe the north wind covered it.

Three dead and one critical. A young gal recently purchased the hair dresser shop and her husband was remodeling. Rumor has it he was refinishing the hard wood floor, (front room probably 13' x15'). I speculate that the furnace kicked off the fumes. It was about 55? at the time and he had doors and windows closed. It blowed him out the front window, and piled the young family together in the corner. Young couple were freinds from out of town. Official cause has not been anounced yet.😔

This building is one of the last 3 wooden structure commercial buildings left from the turn of the century. It/they use to have the tall false fronts.

Ventalation in those small areas is a must, and shut down those ignition sources. So easy to forget.

[sixball]

Very sad. Young family just trying to make a go of it and make a big mistake.

[sammons]

A freind of mine called, the young mans father posted that he was looking at being released from the hospital today or tomorrow. Various minor injuries and 3rd degree burns on his hands lower arms. Lucky man.

Couple years ago he opened up a firearm business several miles outside of town. Does custom build, repair, and various types of custom finishes. I have a nephew that works for him.

We tend to get complacent/lax with our safety precautions with the tools etc in our work shops. Young people may not realise the risk/danger of short cutting. Us older fellas may have done something dozens/ hundreds of times and got away with it. But... if conditions/circumestances are just right, you can have a very very bad day.
I'm guilty of several myself. I pull the thumb trigger safety off my air die grinders/small air ratchets etc. They are a real pain on the paddle triggers. I also remove the gaurd on my small die grinders as they are always in the way.
How many people actually check the stone on their bench grinder. Do you always stand to the side as you turn it on and it spins up to full rpm? My first woodshop teacher my freshman year drumbed that in our heads. Actually seen one come apart during my sophmore year, luckily the kid was standing off to the side for the 5 second rule. Came apart in 3 chunks.
If your getting light headed/eyes burn or coughing, chances are you need way more ventalation.

Stay safe guys!

[sixball]

I totally agree. I have reached this age with all my fingers & one functioning eye more from luck than caution. I guess the caution part by now is more automatic because it was drummed into us. Working in shops at a young age around older survivors who were always quick to spot danger/stupidity was a great help.

[EDNY]

Ironic you mentioned the bench grinder...just two days ago the grinding wheel on my grinder worked itself off.  Good news is that it had a side cover on it, didn't go anywhere.

[sammons]

Bet it still made a ruckus, glad it was conatined!

Alot of freinds/family use to help them selfs to my tools at the shop. One day i was busy putting a fender on when my uncle popped in. Went over to the bench grinder and started grinding on something. A heard a clunk and a damnit, looked up and he just picked it up off the floor and went back to grinding. Later i needed to sharpen a drill bit too big to fit in my Drill Doc, turned the grinder on, the bench was shaking. Shut it off, there was a small chunk off to the edge, way outta balance. I was over due for a new wheel anyway, but....🥴