Tool-related injuries among amateur and professional woodworkers.
Although woodworking is a popular hobby and the woodworking industry employs thousands of workers nationwide, few studies have examined injuries associated with this activity, especially in relation to woodshop tool use. We conducted a survey of amateur and professional woodworkers (n = 283) in New Mexico to determine histories and rates of tool-specific injuries. Injuries associated with woodshop tool use were reported by 64% of all respondents. Hammers, chisels/gouges, and table saws were most frequently reported in association with injuries, although the highest tool-specific injury rates were associated with use of jointer-planers (4.9 injuries per 1000 person-hours of use), chisels/ gouges (3.3 injuries), and drill presses (3.1 injuries). One third reported tool use-associated injuries that were severe enough to require professional medical attention; 5% of all respondents suffered partial amputations. Courses in the safe use of shop tools may help to reduce rates of injuries among woodworkers.
University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA.
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Becker
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Trinkaus
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Buckley
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006686:Hobbies; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014934:Wood; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*