Safety is paramount in any woodworking shop, and it certainly shouldn’t be overlooked when creating a woodworking shop in your home. Regardless of a person’s level of experience, mistakes and accidents can happen in a shop and can cause serious injury or worse. Keep these six items on hand in your woodshop to build the basic foundation for the safe operation of tools and equipment:
1. Eye protection: Safety glasses or face shields should always be worn when working with power tools. Have enough eye protection on hand in the woodshop to cover the maximum number of people who can be present in the shop at one time. Consider the types of tools and materials in your shop and choose appropriately rated eye protection.
2. Respirators or Dust Masks: Inhalation of fine dust particles is dangerous to health. At the very least, keep a good supply of disposable dust masks or washable cloth masks designed to filter out fine dust on hand. For a larger investment, you can invest in a powered air respirator, which will generally provide a higher level of comfort for extended use.
3. Hearing protection: Exposure to loud equipment, especially over long periods of time, can cause hearing loss. Earplugs and/or ear muffs should be available in the wood shop and used by anyone in the shop when appropriate.
4. Fire extinguisher: Fire extinguishers in a woodworking shop should be stored in a visible and accessible location. Keep glue, thinners, and other potentially flammable items away from areas with electrical wires.
5. Running water or eyewash station: Although power tools should not be used near water, it is a good idea to have running water or an eyewash station available in areas where chemicals are used.
6. First aid kit: Even when safety equipment is used and precautions are taken, unforeseen accidents can happen. Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand in the woodshop and refill it as needed.
The appropriate safety equipment to use depends on the particular tool being used or the task being performed. Safety equipment such as goggles, hearing protection, and respirators is available with different ratings and strengths, so keep in mind the types of tools and materials you’ll be using when choosing safety equipment for your home woodworking shop. . Always consult the safety manual of the tools you will be using to ensure that your safety equipment and clothing are appropriate.