Woodworking Safety Week 2011: Stay Alert with a Juice Break

For Woodworker’s Safety Week 2011, we are offering daily tips all week for staying more safe in the workshop.

Today’s tip comes from Jim Mullen of Wichita, Kansas. His idea is so simple, and yet something that many of us don’t think of when we are working all day in the shop.

As a hobbyist woodworker, I often find myself out in the shop after work, and sometimes after dinner. As a diabetic, I also recognize when I feel lightheaded and tired, there’s often a good reason – my blood sugar numbers are low. Upon the advice of my endocrinologist (diabetes doctor), I now keep a few small bottles or boxes of fruit juice in the shop. When I feel sluggish, I take a break, grab one, and check my numbers in 10 minutes or so. Often, I’m ready to get back to my project shortly thereafter. Even for folks who aren’t diabetic, staying focused when blood sugar is low can be an issue.

I would also consider getting a cheap small hotel room size fridge for the shop. They don’t take much space or power and can keep those goodies cool in summer and from freezing in winter. Often, they can be found on Craigslist or at garage sales.

Have a very safe 2011 safety week, and happy woodworking!

Do you have a great idea for staying alert and helping to avoid injuries in your workshop? If so, we want to hear about it!. Receive a $25 store gift card if we feature your tip in a future issue of Wood News.