in walnut, locust, and oak sawdust. Long-term exposure to fine wood dust has also been linked with an increased risk of developing cancer. Ear protection – A lathe is a quiet machine compared to other power tools, but earplugs should be worn if noise is excessive. This may be due to motor (fan) noise from a shop dust collector or the combination of wood and tool being used. Hand/skin protection – Gloves should not be used with rotating equipment due to the risk of getting tangled in the machine. However, wood can cause splinters that not only puncture the skin but also cause festering sores or skin irritation. The polishes and finishes used in woodturning often contain organic solvents such as methanol, turpentine, and toluene, all of which can be harmful irritants to the skin. This subject continues to be debated in the community. Foot protection – Protective footwear such as leather steel-toe boots is essential for any type of shop activity. A good way to check the safety before starting the lathe is ' SAFER': S – Speed – The rotational speed should be slower for big, heavy items and faster for smaller, lighter things. Most craftsmen recommend starting at slow speeds and re-setting speed to low at the end of the session. A – Aside – Stand to the side of the blank's 'firing line' (not in front of the wood). F – Fixings – Confirm that all materials and equipment tool-rest, tail-stock, etc. are correctly attached and secured. E – Eye and ear protection – Wear sufficient eye and ear protection. R – Revolve – Confirm the wood can freely rotate without encountering any obstructions such as the tool rest. Safe usage of a lathe also depends on the operator's choice of proper techniques for the lathe, tools, and wood. For example, using a high spindle speed with an unbalanced wooden blank may cause the lathe to vibrate dangerously. Spinning a large turning blank too quickly may cause it to explode. Inappropriate use of tools such as gouges and skew chisels can cause a catch, where the tool bites suddenly and aggressively into the wood in an uncontrolled manner. These risky practices can exert extremely large forces upon the wood, the tool, the lathe, and the operator. The wood could fracture or tear free from the lathe. In lathe accidents, tools are often torn from the operator's