I found out today that my cousin just cut off his thumb a few days ago. He was using a chopsaw on very thick lumber, and there was evidently a knot in the center of it, and the blade hit it, jerked the wood, and his hand, into the path of the blade. It made an angular cut that went from underneath the joint on one side to above on the other side of the last joint. An expert team of doctors reattached it, but don’t expect that it will ever move. The joint was destroyed by the blade.
Now, what’s odd is that just a few weeks ago I came across the SawStop. It’s a new saw technology that each tip of the blade measures electrical resistance, and can shut off in 5/1000ths of a second. Watch the videos and prepare to be freaked out. Had my cousin been operating the SawStop chopsaw, he would have needed some neosporin and a bandaid. At a price of roughly $50 more than a non-safe saw, I certainly hope that contractors start using this en masse. People like my cousin wouldn’t have needed to go through the tremendous pain, debilitation, surgeries, massive painkillers, hospital stays, etc. that he did. And companies like the one he works for wouldn’t be left with a multi-hundred thousand dollar workers compensation bill. At least, that’s what I’m assuming the bill will be. Five surgeons from different parts of the world, a 9 hour operation, and some very very high-tech anesthesia.
Posted Sunday April 25, 2004
in Real Life by Derek Jones
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I’m sorry to hear about your cousin although at least he gets compensation. It can always be worse! If you’d like cheering up, my URL features a great story about Bush’s plans to ban sex.
Actually, no, that’s not great - that’s terrible! But I live in the UK and I can do anything I want. ANYTHING!
By Tom on April 26, 2004 at 12:20am link