After viewing the great photos of DUTA I noticed what I usually see in albums of event photos world wide so it is a universal trait - the scarcity of Face Shields and eye / face protection.
Given that there are very good comfortable & practical Face Shields like the Armadillo available for less than $40 in Australia, and other options like the Bionic - it is not common to see them used at DUTA & similar events or indeed in club workshops. When we see the common & typical mishaps, like the cracked bowl in Robert Brown's photos of DUTA, that create a flying object of a few ounces (for the oldies) or 50-60g or more there is a lot of reassurance in wearing PPE / face shields to protect from minor to serious eye injuries. A quality face shield with brow protection & a good harness will also offer substantial protection or at least mitigate the severity of injuries from larger impacts like a small bowl going AWOL from a chuck.
Face shields are actually a high order engineered solution to protect from very common eye / face injuries as they intervene in the path between the almost continuous flying object / particles we create while hand turning and the eye / face.
In a "workplace" employers & workers would be cautioned & liable for fines for breaches of legislation for "workers" not wearing compliant PPE in similar "work" environments, however as hobbyists we have a greater motive - self preservation. No turner likes to be injured & away from the workshop / lathe.
I often wonder,
Why there is so much resistance to wearing face shields?
Is it because many turners perceive that,
There is little risk of injury?
The frequency (chance) of injuries is low? & the severity of potential injuries is minor?
Lower quality face shields (splash guards) offer little protection - so why bother to wear them?
They are impractical / cumbersome to wear? Interfere with conversations?
Other limitations like fogging, static holding dust to the shield make them impractical? Weight on the head?
Its "dorky" wearing one?
How many turners,
Use no eye/face protection at all? Sometimes? Often? All the time?
Rely on prescription spectacles only? (very minimal protection from direct impacts only - generally spectacles do not meet AS1337 / Z87)
Approved safety spectacles or goggles / over goggles to AS1337 / Z87? (good protection for eyes, not so good for face)
Use a flimsy "splash guard" style face shield? (worthwhile protection for light duty turnings, pens & small spindle projects only)
A more robust face shield that meets medium or high impact ratings to AS1337 / Z87?
Other higher protection - like riot shields etc?
Of course the choice of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including eye / face protection is or should be related to the mass, size & condition of turning blanks and complexity of the turning project, and potential for things to go wrong BUT how often do we consider the benefits of PPE?
I would greatly value all opinions on this matter even if people wish to PM me instead of making a public comment.
Given that there are very good comfortable & practical Face Shields like the Armadillo available for less than $40 in Australia, and other options like the Bionic - it is not common to see them used at DUTA & similar events or indeed in club workshops. When we see the common & typical mishaps, like the cracked bowl in Robert Brown's photos of DUTA, that create a flying object of a few ounces (for the oldies) or 50-60g or more there is a lot of reassurance in wearing PPE / face shields to protect from minor to serious eye injuries. A quality face shield with brow protection & a good harness will also offer substantial protection or at least mitigate the severity of injuries from larger impacts like a small bowl going AWOL from a chuck.
Face shields are actually a high order engineered solution to protect from very common eye / face injuries as they intervene in the path between the almost continuous flying object / particles we create while hand turning and the eye / face.
In a "workplace" employers & workers would be cautioned & liable for fines for breaches of legislation for "workers" not wearing compliant PPE in similar "work" environments, however as hobbyists we have a greater motive - self preservation. No turner likes to be injured & away from the workshop / lathe.
I often wonder,
Why there is so much resistance to wearing face shields?
Is it because many turners perceive that,
There is little risk of injury?
The frequency (chance) of injuries is low? & the severity of potential injuries is minor?
Lower quality face shields (splash guards) offer little protection - so why bother to wear them?
They are impractical / cumbersome to wear? Interfere with conversations?
Other limitations like fogging, static holding dust to the shield make them impractical? Weight on the head?
Its "dorky" wearing one?
How many turners,
Use no eye/face protection at all? Sometimes? Often? All the time?
Rely on prescription spectacles only? (very minimal protection from direct impacts only - generally spectacles do not meet AS1337 / Z87)
Approved safety spectacles or goggles / over goggles to AS1337 / Z87? (good protection for eyes, not so good for face)
Use a flimsy "splash guard" style face shield? (worthwhile protection for light duty turnings, pens & small spindle projects only)
A more robust face shield that meets medium or high impact ratings to AS1337 / Z87?
Other higher protection - like riot shields etc?
Of course the choice of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including eye / face protection is or should be related to the mass, size & condition of turning blanks and complexity of the turning project, and potential for things to go wrong BUT how often do we consider the benefits of PPE?
I would greatly value all opinions on this matter even if people wish to PM me instead of making a public comment.
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