![]() James (Jim) Boott Harris, was the South Plains Woodturners president about 12 years ago. James (Jim) Boott Harris, South Plains Woodturners We know how important they are to the chapters, and we'd like to help the chapters recognize them Not once, but time after time, year after year, always giving to share the joy of woodturning. ![]() When everyone else has burned out, they keep on plugging. When nobody else will take on a task, they will. It takes a lot of effort by a lot of people to make a chapter successful, but usually there are one or more "quiet stalwarts." They are the backbone of most of the chapters. You know - the person who is the first to pitch in and the last to quit at the end of the task. AAW Safety Committee: John Beechwood III (Chair), Steve Pritchard, Kevin Jesequel, Kent Crowell Do not promote the practice via newsletter articles or social media posts, and do not allow fractal-burned pieces to be displayed in instant galleries, exhibitions, at chapter meetings, or on chapter websites.įurther, due to liability concerns, the AAW Board has decided to disallow chapters that promote, demonstrate, or allow the use of fractal burning to be eligible to obtain, or renew, insurance through the AAW for their chapter. The AAW Safety Committee, with endorsement from the Board of Directors, requests once again that its members and chapter leaders join in the AAW’s efforts to discourage the use of fractal burning. The AAW Board’s 2017 policy explicitly extends its position to its chapters: “AAW-chartered chapters are strongly urged to refrain from demonstrating or featuring the process in chapter events.” Yet the practice persists at the chapter level. This webpage lists known deaths, the AAW’s official position on fractal burning, as well as other resources. To learn more about what makes fractal burning dangerous, visit /AAWfractal or scan the QR code. Many users think they are being safe, but the number of serious injuries and deaths says otherwise. Many of the YouTube videos that show how to build these devices at home do not adequately address the inherent safety concerns. It speaks volumes that there are no UL-rated fractal burning units commercially available. ![]() Sadly, since the AAW Board adopted its policy on fractal burning in 2017, there have been thirty-three reported deaths directly attributed to fractal burning, and an unknown number of injuries and close calls.įractal burning poses a significant hidden risk of electrocution. The ban prohibits displaying fractal-burned pieces at any AAW-sponsored event and promoting the practice via articles in AAW publications. In 2017, the AAW Board of Directors voted to ban any fractal-burning demonstrations and equipment sales at AAW-sponsored events. This often unsafe, life-threatening practice has once again surfaced in the news and on social media, following a two-victim incident in April 2022. The AAW Board, through its Safety Committee, wants to re-emphasize the dangers associated with the process known as Lichtenberg, or “fractal,” burning, an embellishing technique that uses high-voltage electrical current to burn patterns on wood. We encourage everyone to stay well-informed and keep turning safely.įractal Burning Kills AAW Reiterates the Dangers The AAW Board of Directors established a policy prohibiting this practice across all areas under AAW’s control in 2017.įollowing two recent deaths in Wisconsin attributed to fractal burning, AAW’s Safety Committee, which is responsible for promoting safe woodturning practices, again wants to raise awareness in the woodturning community about the inherent dangers surrounding this technique. For the past five years, AAW has continued to monitor reports of death and serious injury resulting from the technique known as fractal burning. ![]()
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