How to get someone's attention when they are wearing hearing protection and using a power tool?

[Beechwood Chip]

The other day I was making a tricky cut on the table saw with no blade guard.  A friend stopped by to say high and waved his arms while standing at the edge of my peripheral vision.  I was startled, and turned away from the cut for a moment.  Everything was fine, but I wasn't happy about having my fingers inches away from the whirling blade of death while my attention was elsewhere.

So, how to get someone's attention when they are wearing hearing protection and using a power tool?  My rule is that you wait for the tool to stop, and then it doesn't matter as much but it's polite to walk directly in front of the person.

Any thoughts or opinions?

[JohnG]

As you said, you don’t. You wait until they are done with the operation and then get their attention any of the normal ways. 

They also need to be told where it is safe and where it is not safe to wait for you to finish what you are doing. 

It’s not rude to sit them down and go through this, and in my experience they greatly appreciate it. For family, it would be good to agree on a way that they can safely get your attention during an operation in an emergency situation. 

As a woodworker, it’s good to be aware of when/where there may be distractions. 

[gee-dub]

Many years ago it took me several attempts to get my wife (then girlfriend) to realize that banging on the door or coming up behind me could result in amputation.  She got the message when I sent her pictures of shop accidents.  If you have to work with your doors open, consider a sign.  We can't train everybody who may stop by.  Do not be shy about telling folks that you like having all your digits and how they can help you continue to do so.  In the episode you describe I would have immediately hit the kill switch.  If you do not have a kick or knee panel switch actuator, that is your project for today.

[Von]

My shop is in our attached garage which is also our default route coming and going, so I've trained myself to ignore my wife passing through while I'm in the middle of something. But I need to tackle that sooner or later there will be some situation of urgency she will need to interrupt me.

My thought would be some sort of light controlled by a switch. Maybe lights so I'm likely to see one no matter what I'm doing. Maybe some sort of LED doohickeys?

Flicking the shop lights would work, but the thought of everything going dark is not a pleasant one.

As I think about it, part of the challenge is if they understand the different tools. My level of concern varies depending on if I'm sawing or thickness planing or sanding.

[legenddc]

My wife and kids know not to come in if they hear tools going. I’ll tell them if I’m just going to be sanding so they can interrupt. I’ll also tell my wife to call me and I’ll hear it ringing in the 3M Worktunes if I turn my phone sound on. 
 

I think they can also tell from the sounds of the tools what is happening. A sander doesn’t change much noise when it’s being used. 

[Von]

Something like the following, set to some bright color scattered around the shop?

LED Puck Lights with Remote Control, Battery Operated Wireless Closet Lights, Under Cabinet Lighting Stick on Tap Push Lights, Color Changing Under Counter Lights for Kitchen, 6 Pack - Black https://a.co/d/8UFC2U4

[Tpt life]

Years in the trades has me scanning as often as possible in safe moments. A sign that says “Wait Here if I’m busy” is not a bad idea. 
 

Edit to add: I don’t like setups where my back is to a door. YMMV

[Mark J]

I'm easily startled,  so I don't do well with sudden sounds or flashing lights.  My wife understands about the danger of distraction, so she will get into my peripheral vision, but stay 15 feet away.  I think keeping physically distant is the key.  

[BillyJack]

We always go where than can see you..

[Beechwood Chip]

On 7/27/2024 at 5:12 PM, Mark J said:

I'm easily startled,  so I don't do well with sudden sounds or flashing lights.  My wife understands about the danger of distraction, so she will get into my peripheral vision, but stay 15 feet away.  I think keeping physically distant is the key.  

I'm the opposite - my friend was barely in my peripheral vision waving his arms, so I was startled and turned my head to see what was there.  If he had been directly in front of me, I think I would have recognized him without needing to look away from the blade.

[curlyoak]

I work with the garage door open. My table saw feeds toward the door. That keeps me aware. The other stationary tools I'm a quarter turn away so I get a little vision.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Oh, wow! That would have been terrible. In my case, I am easily startled so I don't take away my attention from my band saw if ever someone calls my attention .

[curlyoak]

On 8/7/2024 at 5:50 PM, JustAnotherGuy said:

That would have been terrible

In the process of feeding material I am focused on the work. During a milling process there is a lot of time that I am not feeding material. If I had a 2' x 8' piece of plywood I must retrieve the lumber if I'm ripping 4" pieces there is lots of time to look out the door on the re-coil. So Im aware of my surroundings. Maybe you need a better view? Not terrible.