5 Critical Workshop Safety Tips for Woodworkers
Spending an afternoon in the workshop, enjoying woodworking and building, is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But, it’s not without risk—it’s estimated that over 37,000 people each year are injured from using a table saw.
How can you enjoy your hobbies without injury? It all boils down to workshop safety. With the right safety protocols in place, you can greatly reduce your risk of cuts and sliced skin, bruises, eye injury, and hearing loss.
If you need some new safety rules for your workshop, keep reading to find five key workshop safety tips to keep in mind when working.
1. Workshop Safety Starts with Protective Safety Gear
You should always take safety precautions in workshops, especially when it comes to clothing and protective gear. They’re your first line of defense against injury.
When working, you should wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from wood chips and dust, and earplugs will keep your hearing safe from the loud roars of the machines. Aprons and gloves are also key bits of safety gear.
Avoid loose clothing when working, as sleeves or baggy shirts can easily get caught in machines.
2. Never Do Woodworking When Tired
We know how dangerous it can be to drive when fatigued—you lose concentration and are more apt to make mistakes. The same applies to workshops and operating machinery.
You should never operate any type of machinery or use saws and drills if you’re tired, as it increases your risk of injury.
3. Turn Off Power Before Changing Blades
An important part of owning a workshop is regular servicing of equipment, like brake motor maintenance and changing blades or drill bits.
When changing blades, always make sure the equipment is turned off and disconnected from any power source. Accidental flips of a switch can happen at any time, and if this happens while you’re touching sharp blades, you risk serious injury.
4. Clean As You Go
It’s easy to get excited about awesome woodworking projects, like updating your backyard or laying new hardwood floors. However, before you get carried away with your new patio design or project, make sure you take the time to clean between each job.
Workshops quickly fill with offcuts, debris, dust, and nails, all of which can be safety hazards. A clean workshop is a safe one!
5. Don’t Reach Over a Running Saw or Blade
One of your general safety rules in the workshop should be not to reach over a running blade. Seems obvious, but it’s always tempting to grab something just out of reach.
Hands or arms should never reach over a moving piece of equipment, as it’s not worth the risk. Turn off the machinery and then walk over to get what you need; don’t take shortcuts.
Use These Safety Tips to Avoid Injury
Woodworking and crafting are creative and enjoyable hobbies that anyone can enjoy. Just make sure workshop safety always comes first, ensuring you and those who use your workshop stay safe and healthy.
Use the tips above to develop a list of safety rules and hang them on the wall, an easy way to remind yourself and others of the importance of safety.
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