Good for you Blindwoodturner, if the Health and Safety Police get into woodturning they will have it stopped altogether!
You only have to look at the basics and its a "no brainer" Woodturning is a dangerous hobby and should not be allowed......consider it, very sharp0 tools, held by hand, pieces of wood (sometimes irregularly shaped) spinning at up to 3000 rpm.
The health and safety Police would limit us to 50rpm and make us use plastic tools.
Sometimes it is just best to leave the responsibility with the individual.
personally I do not wear steel toecap boots in my workshop, I wear sturdy leather boots, but not steel toecap, but I have never had an incident involving my feet in the workshop.
I think the biggest risk in the workshop is to the hands and I am very carefull in that area, finishing and polishing with cloths can be very dangerous, I only use kitchen paper towel and I am very careful how I hold it, never wrap it around your hand or fingers, so that if it snatches it will just take it out of your hand rather than dragging your hand round, also sanding, especially inside boxes and things, I use a piece of sandpaper held in forceps but even that has risks.
I have safety glasses, (and a shield) I don't wear them often but if turning anything that is crumbbly with bits flying off, then I put them on.
In short, be aware of the risks, manage those risks to a level you are happy with, but ultimate responsibility must be with the Turner. Sometimes risks must be taken but be aware of the risks and levels and take responsibillity for your own safety, but if it all goes pear shaped dont try to blame someone else.
