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.
Becker
T M
TM
University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA.
Trinkaus
K M
KM
Buckley
D I
DI
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*