Most folks are aware of the injury I had last year. The original post about it was destroyed when we had that virus that took us down for several days so, I'll re-cap it and post the photos. WARNING: The images are graphic.
I disassembled my cross-slide because it got really gunked-up with brass/bronze dust. The slide is heavy and has a dovetail cut into the bottom. After removing the piece, I set it on a stool behind me while clearing a spot on the workbench and my gloves were removed. I backed-up into the stool and the piece was going to fall. I reached for it and tried to capture it with my hand and against my leg. It slide by anyhow but, I broke it's fall -but suddenly, something wasn't right. I had to look twice to realize what happened.
After a lifetime of doing shop and mechanical work, I long ago learned never to instinctively grab anything that's hot or heavy or sharp etc... -best to let it fall and deal with the consequences. This one time, I faltered in that behavior and it cost me big-time. At the time, I remember feeling hurried since I needed the lathe up & running the next day.
At the onset, this was no picnic. The first week was downright painful and the stitches had to remain for over a month. I was on antibiotics for a month and that was no fun either. Anyhow, two of the fingers now have limited feeling but my brain has adapted to how things are now.
I never lose sight of the fact that terrible injury can happen. I have medical kit and tourniquet in the shop. In this case, one tip of the finger was completely peeled-back and the bone was sticking out. I sat at table and rinsed it with alcohol as-is then put the tip to cover the bone. Wrapped with a towel and ice pack, put my hand under my armpit to apply pressure and drove to the hospital. They took a quick look and got me in the back room right away. 32 stitches.
How could it have been prevented? -Never have a weak moment. -Never!