A couple weeks ago, I had a small accident with my disc sander. I have a small 12" JET disc sander with 100 grit ceramic sandpaper (great stuff by the way and lasts forever). For the most part, this isn't that dangerous a tool unless you do something truly moronic - I know a number of you and that isn't outside the realms of possibility
Here's the safety tip -- make sure the sandpaper fits the disc exactly the same around the perimeter of the disc. I had recently replaced the sandpaper but it wasn't centered exactly and was overhanging one side more than the other. I accidentally nicked my finger - normally, this would have just resulted in a small scrap but the sandpaper acted like a blade and sliced the skin off the end of my finger. I am completely healed in just over 2 weeks but it hurt like hell when it happened. So just make sure the "overhang" (if you have any) is even and the sandpaper disc is perfectly centered.
Stay Safe Everyone!!!
--
Simon