Think safety. Well it has happened again. For the second time in my life I have pulled the muscles in my lower back bad enough that I have to take pain meds and muscle relaxers in order to sit in a chair and write this. I didn’t think I did any thing wrong all I did was pick up two 40 lb bags of salt for the water softener. I grabbed the handles on the bags and bent my legs and stood up. I think now that I moved to fast and my back wasn’t able to take the strain. I got the salt in the machine, this time one bag at a time. I then spent the rest of the day with an ice pack on my back. Not fun.

So you may ask; how is this related to Blacksmithing? Well it’s related because I can’t go out to the shop today. And I may not be able to go out tomorrow. When I am in the shop I frequently have to pick up things that weigh as much as a 40lb bag of salt. It could have happened there just as easily as in my basement.

Accidents happen. But this one like many others could have been prevented. I know that as I grow older it is more and more important to keep up a regular exercise program. Had I been doing that over the past two years this accident would not have happened. As soon as I am able I will start a new exercise program. This time maybe I can stick with it.

I have always believed that you should learn from your mistakes. But it is even better if you can learn from the mistakes of others. If you have an accident or even a near accident in the shop, consider sharing it with the rest of us. Maybe we can learn from it and work a little safer as a result. You can even send in your accident report with a request to keep your name out of it.

Our annual meeting and pot luck dinner is coming up fast. It will be December 5, 2009. Please plan to attend I would like all of you to be there if you can.

Think first, think safety and be carful out there.

George Anderton

President BGOP