Whether you do work with wood as a profession or it’s a hobby that you love, working with wood requires some safety guidelines that all should adhere to. Getting complacent or rushing a job can result in unpleasant injuries from accidents. Here are some important safety tips so you can enjoy woodworking without incident:
Safety equipment is a must
It is essential that appropriate safety gear is always worn. This includes items like ear defenders for noisy tools, gloves and safety goggles. Get into good habits by putting them on as soon as you enter the workshop and not removing them until you leave.
Woodwork can stir up a lot of dust, bringing with it a host of respiratory problems. Always work in a well-ventilated environment and ensure any ventilation systems are well maintained. Get rid of sawdust lying around by turning it into useful briquettes for heating, for example. For a range of Briquetting Machines, visit https://iwmachines.co.uk/en/products/briquetting-machines/
Suitable clothing
Wearing anything loose fitting is not advisable as it could easily get caught in a blade or cutting head, for example. Be comfortable but think about protection and remember to remove anything that dangles, like jewellery.
Don’t drink alcohol
Before working, make sure you are fully sober as power tools and intoxicating substances are not a good combo. If you think you might still be under the influence of anything, avoid the workshop until the effects have worn off.
Always disconnect power
When it’s time to change a blade or bit on a power tool, always turn it off at the mains before you do. The results of forgetting can be disastrous and many a joiner has experienced a serious injury by neglecting this one rule.
Just use one extension cord
Not one for each tool but one in total. This will force you to change the cord over every time you want to use a different power tool, thus making you far more aware of disconnecting from the mains before changing blades.
Stay alert for small pieces of metal
As you’re about to cut a piece of wood, always check for small nails, screws or any other bits of metal still in the wood. When a fast spinning blade hits a nail, it’s not a pleasant experience! You could ruin your cutting head or worse, cause a nasty kick back and giving you an injury. Often, woodworkers will use a metal detector to check stock before doing any work.
Avoid distractions
It’s impossible to get rid of all distractions as they are just an occurrence of everyday life. If you get a phone call while operating a power tool, or someone calls you, always bring the cut to a safe place before switching off the tool at the mains. Do not be tempted to deal with the distraction by leaving the tool running and either still in your hand or on the side.