literqture

No. American Hardwood lnfo

A 32-p., full-color booklet, "The Book Behind the look," that demonstrates costeffective and creative applications for North American hardwoods is free from The Hardwood Council, Box 525, Oakmont, Pa. 15139; (412) 281-4980.

This Catalog Nails'em

A catalog of cordless and pneumatic nailers, framers and staplers is free from Paslode, 888 Forest Edge Dr., Vernon Hills, Il. 60061-3105; (800) 682-3428.

Old English Garden Tools

A 12-p. catalog, "Original English Garden Tools," is free from Ames Lawn & Garden Tools, Box 1774, Parkersburg, W.V. 26101; (800) 725-9500.

Spiral Saw Brochure of ony New Literoture item by contocting eoch compony direclly... ond pleose mention thot you sow it in The Merchontl

A 4-p. booklet on a new spiral saw is free from Roto Zip, l86l Ludden Dr., Cross Plains, Wi. 53528; (877) 768-6947.

Vinyl Window CD-Roms

Two new CD-Roms on vinyl windows have been introduced: About Vinyl Windows, $35 from Tim Carter, 3166 N. Farmcrest Dr., Cincinnati, Oh. 45213I I 12, (888) 537-8833, and a window catalog on CD-Rom from Astrup Co., 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland, Oh. zl4l 13; (216) 6962820.

A Real Barn Burner

Barns and Backbuildings, a new book on how to plan and construct backyard projects including a directory of products and services, is $9.95 from Don Berg, Architect, Box 698, Rockville Centre, N.Y. 11571; (516) 766-5585.

The Wonders Of Hardwood

Hardwood Expressions, a 36-p. guide to hardwood flooring, cabinetry, fumiture and woodwork. is free from the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, 400 Penn Center Blvd. #530, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235; (800)373-9663.

Keep On Truckin'

Brochures on D/G15S/I8S Series pneumatic tire lift trucks and on three-wheel lift trucks are free from Daewoo Corp., 4350 Renaissance Pkwy., Warrensville Heights, oh. 44128 ; (2r 6) 59 5 - 1212.

Formaldehyde-Free MDF

Information on formaldehyde-free MDF products is free from SierraPine Ltd., 2l5l Professional Dr. #200, Roseville, Ca. 95661; (888) 633-7477.

Shed Light on The Subjecr

An 8-p. undercabinet lighting systems brochure is free from Alkco Lighting, 11500 Melrose Ave., Franklin Park, Il. 60131; (847) 451-0700.

_ The Merchant Magazine welcomes Lctters to the Editor. please send to Editor, 45O0 Campus Dr., Suite 4g0, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660; Fax 949-8520231, or by e-mail to dkoenig@ioc.net.

AVOID STF,EP OSHA FINES

One of my insureds recently had an injury occur to one of their more experienced employees in which the employee cut off two fingers on an unguarded table saw.

The accident created fines from OSHA that I thought might be of interest to your subscribers. They were as follows:

(l) Non-reporting of injury to OSHA, s225.

(2) Failure to use a push stick when a standard guard not available, $3,500.

(3) Documentation of recent employer conducted safety inspections, $225.

(4) Documentation of recent safety meeting/training for each employee, $225.

(5) Documentation of forklift,training program, $225.

(6) Name plate, load limit, model # missing from forklift, $l10.

(?) Rated load capacity not marked plainly on mast so operator cpuld see, $l10.

(8) Horn, whistle or gong on forklift did not operate, $560.

(9) The travel on a radial arm saw extended beyond table, $l 125.

(10) Radial ann saw did not have antikickback device for ripping purposes, $l 13.

(ll) Radial arm saw did not have a device to cause cutting head to return to starting position,$l I 3. Total: $6531.

I am sure you realize that many of these violations are common around lumber yards. In many cases, they can be eliminated or reduced if the owners are aware of these problems.

Jerry Pond

DJR Insurance Agency, Inc.

31600 Railroad Canyon Rd., #D Canyon Lake, Ca. 92587

Responsibility For A Tragedy

I enjoyed your October editorial, 'The Woman in the Tree." It was interesting that you mentioned the unfortunate death of the Texan killed by a falling tree. That man was from Austin and the local paper went crazy with the story. Coverage included the rally/protest that people attended as well as the man's funeral. Every story I read placed full blame on the lumber company and portrayed their employees as Neanderthals running wild with chain saws and cutting down everything in their path.

While his death was tragic, nobody mentioned that the Texan and his group were trespassing and that it is common sense not to "hang around" in an area where trees are being cut to fall to the ground.

When you knowingly place yourself in harm's way, shouldn't you be ready to face the consequences? The possibility of injury was clear to the entire group, yet they chose to stay and protest. They ended up losing one of their own to a senseless accident, and have since blamed everyone else without taking responsibility for themselves.

It is unfortunate that the reputation of the lumber company has to suffer because of that.

Erica Kirk

Lumbermen's Association of Texas 2501 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, Tx. 78705

Steve Holmes, Steve Hautala. T P.O. Box 800, Fort Bragg, Ca.95437 (707) 964-6377 FAX 707-961-0935

Fred Holmes, 3470 lowa City Rd., Marys!'ille, Ca. 95901 (53O) 743-326,9 FAX 53O-743-t537