Oh, my aching back

There are more ways to hurt yourself in the woodshop than getting cut.

I saw a lawyer ad on TV the other day about common workplace accidents that included a brief video clip of a guy using a table saw, and it prompted me to do a quick Internet search. As expected, the most common (and worst) shop injuries were those involving lacerations and amputations, caused by the sharp things we all work with. Not surprisingly, damage to hearing, vision and lungs also ranked as very common.

What did surprise me, though, is how commonplace muscle and joint injuries are.

Sure, we think all the time about getting cut, and the potential danger of dust and noise. What we don’t think about nearly as much is that woodworking can be incredibly strenuous, especially when working with large workpiece or sheet goods. Getting up there in age? Then those dangers are even greater.

Lifting, bending, kneeling, and over-reaching can all cause strained muscles and joints. But simple repetitive actions and standing in one position for extended periods can also be a real pain in the back – literally. Sometimes, you aren’t even aware of it until you stop.

I pulled a muscle or something in my back several months ago after a few continuous hours bending over the table saw, and since then I’ve made it a habit to set a timer. It’s easy with the Alexa device in my shop. When the time’s up she reminds me to stretch, do some toe-touching or whatever it takes to limber up a bit, or simply take a break and sit for few minutes and do something else.

I’ve found that these self-imposed interruptions go a long way to avoiding back pain and sore knees. As a bonus, I feel better while working and find it easier to pay attention to the task at hand. And that, in turn, helps me avoid those other injuries I noted involving sharp things.