While I fully agree screens should be used if deemed, but I can't help wondering if people think the risk is so great that they will be caused serious injury (which if the club and demonstrator has taken into account all necessary precautions would not happen) then why do people sit at the front close to the lathe and are more interested in seeing what is going on than their own safety. ??
Of course I fully understand that some may not fully be aware of any dangers especially if they are new to turning, so for my way of thinking it should not only be the demonstrator who addresses the H&S of the members but also the Chairman/committee of the club. Example of this is when I go to my local agricultural show to watch the White Helmets motorcycle display team, it isn't the display team that have to erect the substantial wooden fence to protect the public but the organisers, the display team are there to demonstrate their skills, so is it not also up to clubs to supply safety screens/good quality video and screens so people do not have to get so close. ?
Screens aside, should demonstrators stop people picking up their tools in case they cut themselves, or merely hold them at a distance and tell them not to touch. What about the pieces on display, what if someone drops a form and someone else steps back onto it, trips over knocking into people who then spill there hot drinks over the electrics on the floor. ??
Apologies Philip the last bit is going off track, but it gets my goat that H&S is often voiced as 'someone else's fault I got injured'.