Woodworking is not only enjoyable but also involves potential dangers and hazards that often go unnoticed. These fundamental safety tips for woodworking are crucial in preventing and mitigating accidents and injuries.
Why woodworking safety is important
As a beginner woodworker, learning and discussing woodworking safety rules or guidelines is crucial, although it is a topic that is often neglected.
Although many people are aware of the numerous hazards involved in woodworking and the use of sharp power tools, not everyone actually follows basic safety measures, even if they know what they should do to stay safe.
Benefits when you practice good woodworking safety habits
The main focus is to avoid getting injured, yet there are numerous additional advantages to adhering to the fundamental safety guidelines for power tools and other fine woodworking.
1. Safety saves you time and energy
One thing that really bothers me is when people claim that they didn’t want to waste time fetching the appropriate tool, glasses, or gloves. In all likelihood, if you’re engaged in a project and your safety equipment is not readily accessible, you’re likely squandering a significant amount of precious time and energy by not working as effectively as you ought to be.
2. Safety saves you money
Developing good safety habits in your building process not only enhances your work flow efficiency, but also results in cost savings. A safe and efficient workflow not only saves time but also reduces mistakes and minimizes wastage of materials, leading to monetary savings.
Not only is it great to save money on project costs, but consider the additional savings that can be achieved by avoiding visits to the doctor’s office or dealing with significant medical expenses. Even minor injuries resulting from carelessness can incur costs – imagine the cumulative expenses of band-aids and other first aid supplies over time.
3. You can teach others to be safe: Lead by example
Many individuals perceive safety glasses and dust masks as uncool. They avoid utilizing these items due to concerns about fitting in. Therefore, it is imperative that we promote safety as a trendy concept and set an example for others.
If everyone developed and followed good habits when constructing and utilizing their tools, the ones who did not use safety equipment would appear as the exception rather than the norm.
If you are teaching others about woodworking, it is important to practice what you preach. This is especially crucial with kids since serving as a positive role model can have a lasting impact on them.
It is essential to keep in mind that, even if you are experienced, others may not know what you know, and there may be people observing and learning from you whom you are unaware of. Humans tend to learn by observing others.
A list of common dangers, hazards, and cautions involved with woodworking
The initial step is to familiarize yourself with the types of hazards that may arise when using different building materials and tools. Having knowledge of potential dangers and issues can greatly aid in preventing accidents and injuries.
Electrocution hazards
When it comes to building, it is important to recognize that electrocution hazards extend beyond power tools. Even when using hand tools, it is crucial to take into account other electrical dangers in your surroundings, including lights and extension cords.
Here are a few typical risks and perils to take into account:
- Power tools use electricity. Some power tools have very high voltage.
- Power tools may still retain a charge even if not plugged in.
- Nailing, Drilling, Sawing or otherwise contacting any type of live electrical wire in existing structures can result in electrical shock injuries.
Falling and tripping hazards
Whenever you engage in a DIY project or construct something, there exists a constant possibility of falling. Whether you are on a ladder or not, it is effortless to slide, stumble, or encounter an unforeseen impact from items descending towards you.
Here are several typical things to be aware of:
- Tangled Power cords.
- Ladders
- Paint Buckets
- Untied Shoelaces
- Leftover Wood & Other Materials
- Heavy Items Overhead
- Poorly stacked storage containers
- Wet/Slippery Surfaces
- Spilled Nails
Common tool hazards & dangers
Engaging in the use of various hand tools and power tools also entails being mindful of the multiple risks and hazards involved.
- Clothes, Gloves or Hair can get caught in drills, saws, or other tools which rotate
- Tools often have sharp edges, it is important to walk with them safely.
- Dull blades can cause slippage and accidents.
- Tools are most dangerous if tripped on – keep your workspace neat and tidy.
- Protect your hands with gloves to avoid blisters when doing repetitive tasks such as sanding or carving.
Woodworking safety tips to follow
Always wear safety equipment
The initial and foremost guideline in woodworking is to make sure you are wearing suitable safety gear.
It is necessary to wear hearing protection for certain loud tools, like routers and surface planers, and latex gloves may be needed during the application of finishes. However, safety glasses should be worn at all times in the wood shop. Remember to put them on as soon as you enter and keep them on until you leave.
Wear appropriate clothing
Whenever you are working in the wood shop, it is important to keep in mind not to wear loose-fitting clothing in order to prevent any possibility of your clothes getting caught in a saw blade or cutting head.
Prior to starting, make sure to take off any dangling jewelry, such as neck chains or bracelets. Wear attire that is not only comfortable for the specific work environment, but also provides protection against stray wood chips that may occur during cutting.
Avoid drugs and alcohol
The combination of intoxicating substances and woodworking poses a significant risk. It is strongly advised to refrain from entering the wood shop if you are even slightly influenced by any form of intoxicants.
Although it may appear innocent for the weekend woodworker to consume beer (or six) while working on a project, it is advisable to resist the temptation and wait until you have completed the woodworking. You will significantly reduce the chances of encountering difficulties by remaining sober and free from any substances when operating your power tools.
Disconnect power before blade changes
Before beginning to change the blade or bit on a power tool, it is crucial to always disconnect the electricity to the power tool. This fundamental rule, although simple, has been disregarded by numerous woodworkers resulting in the loss of fingers or even more severe injuries.
Try using one extension cord
Use only one heavy-duty extension cord instead of using a separate cord for each tool. By doing this, it will require you to switch the cord from one tool to another before using each tool. This approach ensures that you are consistently mindful of plugging and unplugging the power whenever you move from one tool to another. It also helps you stay aware of the necessity to disconnect the power when making changes to the bit or blade.
Use sharp blades and bits
It may seem obvious, but it is important to note that a dull cutting tool can be hazardous. When a saw blade is not sufficiently sharp, both the tool and the woodworker will need to exert more effort in order to successfully finish the intended task.
If the tool is not maintained properly, it is more likely to cause recoil or get stuck. Moreover, a cutting tool that is sharper will result in a neater cut, so there are other benefits in addition to safety. By keeping the blade sharp and free from resin, you will ensure both safety and improved outcomes.
Always check for nails, screws, and other metal
Before starting to cut, it is important to always examine the stock you are working with to make sure there is no metal (such as nails, screws, staples, etc.) present. This is crucial because nails and fast-moving saw blades do not go well together. If there is metal in the stock, it can not only harm the cutting tool and the stock itself, but it can also lead to the stock kicking back, which is a frequent cause of injuries. It is recommended to thoroughly inspect the stock or, even better, utilize a metal detector before initiating the cutting process.
Always work against the cutter
The design of woodworking power tools involves ensuring that the wood movement aligns in the opposite direction to the tool’s movement or the tool’s motion across the wood. Put simply, it is necessary for a router bit or saw blade to cut against the motion, rather than with it. The cutter should penetrate into the stock, as opposed to moving with the stock.
Never reach over a blade to remove cut-offs
When operating a table saw, miter saw, or any similar equipment, it is absolutely crucial to never place your hands close to the blade while it is in motion, particularly when trying to remove excess material or cut-offs. It is important to wait until the blade has completely stopped moving before reaching for the cut-off. Alternatively, it is even more advisable to utilize a piece of scrap material or a push stick to safely remove the waste from the blade once it has stopped.
It’s important to remember that switches can be accidentally bumped or malfunction, so even if the blade has stopped, it’s crucial to remain cautious and avoid placing your hands too close.
Avoid distractions
Distractions are present in our daily lives and this holds true even when working in a wood shop. If you are interrupted or diverted while using a power tool, it is crucial to complete the cut safely before addressing the distraction. Diverting your focus from the woodwork tool can lead to a catastrophic outcome.
