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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 2015)
38 Wednesday, July 8, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon WARD: Man is studying for nursing career if hand allows Continued from page 1 Ward is pursuing a career in nursing, hoping that the condition of his hand will allow it. And he’s involved in a national effort to make sure that what happened to him stops happening to others. Technology exists to detect the proximity of flesh to a saw blade and instantly stop a table saw. Consumer advocates have for years been engaged in an effort to require such technology as an indus- try standard — and they’ve enlisted Ward in their cause. The Sisters man traveled to Washington, D.C. last month at the behest of Sally Greenberg of the National Consumers League. While there, Ward testified before the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the body that would ultimately recommend a new industry standard. He also spoke directly to individ- ual commissioners, the CPSC chairman and to senior staff of three of Oregon’s congres- sional delegation. The matter has been before the commission for several years, but it hasn’t been on the front burner. “The big thing is their funding and staffing,” Ward said. The CPSC is dealing with all sorts of consumer safety issues, from ATVs to kids strangling on window blind cords to kids eating laundry pods. The frustrating thing for Ward and other advocates is that, while many issues are complex, the table-saw fix isn’t. Simply requiring that flesh-detecting technology be installed on every saw sold takes care of the problem. “There is one fix,” Ward said. “It’s easy. It’s not as com- plicated as these other issues.” But years of inaction have meant thousands of prevent- able injuries. Ward says there have been some 40,000 emer- gency-room visits in the past five years and there are as many as 10 amputations a day due to saw accidents. But changing an industry standard is a political process and, Ward says, “you defi- nitely learn politics and how big of a mess it is.” Ward acknowledges that the private sector is acting to adopt safety technology — but not quickly or thoroughly enough. Consumer advocates argue that if the free market is the only actor, only high-end saws will be fitted with flesh- detecting technology, and the weekend hobbyist isn’t likely to buy a top-of-the-line saw. They want a universal Rural & Residential Property Sales Protecting your investment is my number-one priority! It does make a difference who you hire to represent you. Patty Cordoni, Broker CAR SHOW: Hot Rod show fills Main Avenue with classics Continued from page 3 photo provided Joshua Ward, left, with CPSC chairman eliot Kaye and consumer advocate Sally greenberg in Washington, d.C. safety standard for ALL table saws. And Ward says the tech- nology is readily adaptable and could cut down accidents with other types of saws as well. Ward testified before the CPSC on June 24, and his tes- timony was compelling. He was not just reciting numbers — he could tell his own story: that of a young man whose life was significantly altered in a moment by an accident that can now be prevented. He told The Nugget that he was assured that his tes- timony made an impact. And talking to congressional staffers will have an impact as well. Representatives for Greg Walden, Jeff Merkely and Ron Wyden all agreed to write letters to put pressure on the CPSC to act. While Ward is continuing his nursing studies and work- ing for the summer at Black Butte Ranch, he sees more advocacy in his future. And he believes that his personal cause will eventually succeed. He cites automobile safety as an example. Eventually, life-saving technology was adopted, despite extra expense. “You don’t find a car made anymore without airbags,” he said. Someday, he believes, and hopefully soon, safety devices will prevent the kind of injury that changed his life. Welcome Quilters! Sew on to Success! 541-383-7600 offi ce 541-771-0931 mobile patty.cordoni@sothebysrealty.com 541-593-4277 431 E. Ctsctde Ave., Sisters Etch offi ce is independently owned tnd opertted. 1989 and is $30 per vehicle. Space is limited for the show; register as soon as possible to ensure a spot. “I know this is going to be a lot of fun,” said Jeri Buckmann, events director for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. “It has been exciting to plan, and we feel fortunate that this event brings beautifully restored and maintained classic cars and trucks lining Main Avenue. The street is closed to traffic so viewers can eas- ily browse the vintage car display in Sisters. People enjoy classic cars. It was an era that can’t be forgotten.” Additional spon- sors include over 20 local businesses. For more informa- tion on the Sisters Glory Daze Car Show or to reg- ister contact Buckmann at jeri@sisterscountry.com or 541-549-0251. Specializing in Central Oregon Rural Properties K Kathy H Hansbrough Broker, CDPE, GRI, SRE B C Cell: 541-408-2998 Offi ce: 541-728-0033 O kjhansbrough@remax.net www.kathyhansbrough.com Stop by and visit with Tiana Van Landuyt & Shelley Marsh. 220 S. Pine St., Ste. 102 | 541-548-9180 RE/MAX Key Properties 431 NW Franklin Ave. Bend, OR 97701 Licensed Broker in the State of Oregon