General Woodworking Safety Rules
To keep yourself out of the obituaries or to avoid a nickname like "Lefty." Please follow these General Safety Rules as you get started woodworking.
Woodworking is a fantastic hobby, but it does come with inherent risks. Anytime you use tools that cut wood; common sense tells you that those same tools will cut skin easier. These woodshop safety guidelines are fundamental to getting started woodworking successfully.
The rules are quite comprehensive, but of course, they don't cover every situation or every tool. Each tool will have its own set of specific safety requirements.
I can't emphasize strongly enough the importance of reading owner manuals and understanding completely the operation of tools before you start using them. Both beginners and experienced woodworkers should pay close attention to instruction manuals.
I've tried to make this rather long list more comfortable to remember by making two categories of rules: Always rules and Never rules.
Page Contents
The “Always” Rules
1) Always wear safety equipment:
a) Safety glasses should be the first things you put on when you go to the shop and the last thing you take off when you leave.
b) Face shields
c) Dust masks
d) Hearing-protection appropriate for the type of tool or equipment you are using.
2) Always dress properly:
a) Do not wear gloves any loose fitting clothing or jewelry.
b) Keep long hair tied back, especially around any moving equipment.
c) Wear sturdy shoes or boots, no open-toed sandals or bare feet.
d) Only use gloves when handling or stacking rough cut lumber.
e) Do not wear gloves when operating woodworking machinery.
3) Always have good lighting.
a) You must be able to read measuring devices and see saw-blades, bits, and drills as well as the cut-lines on the material you are cutting.
4) Always read and understand the owner's manual before using a tool or piece of equipment.
5) Always keep your work area clean and uncluttered clean up any spills immediately and keep the floor free of scraps of wood sawdust, and clutter.
6) Always use safety guards for each piece of equipment. Make sure they are installed correctly and in operating condition.
7) Always keep tools sharp. Be sure your drill bits, blades, or any cutting tool is sharp and in good condition before usin
a) Throw away or sharpen dull or defective blades chisels cutters drill bits etc.
b) Un-sharpened tools can cause accidents and produce poor results.
8) Always keep all your equipment in good shape by cleaning, sharpening, and oiling regularly.
9) Always ensure the equipment is grounded correctly before turning it on.
10) Always check the power switch is off before plugging in a woodworking tool.
11) Always keep power cords safely away from the operating area of equipment.
a) Keep electrical cords off the floor to prevent tripping.
b) If possible, hang power cords and wiring from the ceiling.
c) If using an extension cord, be sure that it's the correct wire gauge and has a ground plug.
12) Always check your wood or "stock" for nails, staples, screws, or other issues like loose knots before using.
13) Always beware of kick-back:
a) If possible, wear a leather apron and don't stand in line with the Saw-blade, planer or jointer.
b) If a kick-back happens, material in the machine can fly back at you and cause a severe injury.
14) Always concentrate on the work at hand. Do not hurry, or day dream.
15) Always keep your hands and fingers at a safe distance from blades and any rotating parts while working.
16) Always use a push stick to push the stock into the cutting area whenever possible.
17) Always secure wood or material with clamps or a vise, especially when cutting, drilling and sanding.
18) Always keep an ABC class fire extinguisher close by and make sure everyone that uses the shop knows where it is and how to use it.
19) Always use the right tools and equipment for the job. Never "rig" a tool or attachment to use on a machine that it is not made for.
20) Always work on a stable surface. A slip could cause your fingers, hand, or arm to contact a saw blade or cutting tool.
21) Always avoid distractions. Don't listen to the radio or music while working. Turn off Power tools if you must speak to another person.
22) Always keep your work area orderly by storing cut off materials or small stock in a wooden box to use for other projects
23) Always use dust collection and exhaust systems (if you have one) to keep your workshop air cleaner and save a lot of maintenance work in the future.
The “Never” Rules
1) Never stand in water and use any electrical tool or machine. Never use electrical appliances outdoors in foul weather.
2) Never make a tool adjustment with the power on. Always unplug the device when changing blades, bits, etc.
3) Never leave a machine if it is still running. Turn it off and wait for all moving parts to stop.
4) Never use a machine until it is running at full speed for its proper use.
5) Never use a Power tool that makes an abnormal sound, makes an unusual smell like burning plastic, or if smoke is visible. Turn it off immediately and fix the problem before using it again.
6) Never use any Woodshop tools if you are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any medication that can slow down your reflexes or compromise your judgment
Safe woodworking is Fun woodworking
Nothing ruins woodworking like an injury.
Even small cuts on fingers can cause a typically fun and enjoyable task to be painful and awkward, which then becomes a risk of injury again.
Please enjoy this fantastic hobby by following these general rules, and above all remember, a good healthy dose of common sense will go a long way to protecting you and providing many years of woodworking enjoyment.