[crw-talk] Fwd: AAW Reiterates the Dangers of Fractal Burning

[Robert Patros]

For those of you that aren’t members of AAW, here’s an important article. 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Phil McDonald, Executive Director" <phil at woodturner.org>
> Date: June 3, 2022 at 10:05:02 AM CDT
> To: rjpatros05 at gmail.com
> Subject: AAW Reiterates the Dangers of Fractal Burning
> Reply-To: phil at woodturner.org
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> AAW Reiterates the Dangers of Fractal Burning
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> Hello Bob:
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> For the past five years, AAW has continued to monitor reports of death and serious injury resulting from the technique known as fractal burning. The AAW Board of Directors established a policy prohibiting this practice across all areas under AAW’s control in 2017.
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> Following 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.
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> We encourage everyone to stay well-informed and keep turning safely.
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> From the AAW Safety Committee
> Fractal Burning Kills; AAW Reiterates the Dangers
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> 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. 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.
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> In 2017, the AAW Board of Directors voted to ban any fractal-burning demonstrations and equipment sales at AAW-sponsored events. The ban prohibits displaying fractal-burned pieces at any AAW-sponsored event and promoting the practice via articles in AAW publications. 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.
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> Learn About the Hidden Dangers
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> Fractal burning poses a significant hidden risk of electrocution. It speaks volumes that there are no UL-rated fractal burning units commercially available. Many of the YouTube videos that show how to build these devices at home do not adequately address the inherent safety concerns. Many users think they are being safe, but the number of serious injuries and deaths says otherwise.
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> To learn more about what makes fractal burning dangerous, visit the AAW website. This webpage lists known deaths, the AAW’s official position on fractal burning, as well as other resources.
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> AAW Chapters Take Note
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> 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. 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. 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.
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> Further, 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.
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> —AAW Safety Committee: John Beechwood III (Chair), Steve Pritchard, Kevin Jesequel, Kent Crowell
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> American Association of Woodturners
> 222 Landmark Center
> 75 5th St W, Saint Paul, MN 55102
> 651-484-9094
> memberservices at woodturner.org
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