Here's an update to this thread.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthre...ool-Shop-Class
After telling my story about being a woodworker to my grandsons shop class I was inspired. My talk went OK and the teacher wanted me to come back and help out.
After an hour in the shop watching students work I was shocked. I saw a student named Ben face jointing a small part with no push block, just pushing down hard with his finger tips passing over the cutter-head. I explained to Ben the forces involved, that the stock could shatter or catch and kick out. He didn't seem to believe me. When I told him about a guy I knew who lost fingers to a jointer that way his eyes widened and I knew he got the message.
I asked the teacher if they had push blocks or safety rules on the jointer. Yes, but the students were told never to face joint at all. It was an ongoing problem. The teacher had talked safety over and over. Safety was talked about but quickly forgotten.
On my next visit I used that trick. We all stood at every machine and I told real life stories of how injuries happen. I have all my fingers, but I did break my thumb once on a radial arm saw. I showed them how it happened. I was in a hurry and not thinking. It was a freak accident and I was being stupid. It was clear the students would listen to real stories more than "here's the rules don't break them".
My safety tips were done, so I went to make some push blocks. I had to search for every tool and every tool I found was dull and abused. Of course, it's a school shop! My inspiration to help started to fade.
This school thing will be a real challenge for an old woodworker like me. I decided to finish the push blocks in my shop where everything is sharp and stored in place. It really made me appreciate having my own peaceful shop.