Safety Guidelines in the Beginners Woodshop

Before we proceed further I want to address safety issues in the woodworking shop. These are things that can make woodworking an enjoyable hobby. Ignoring them could make it a very painful experience or even fatal. I will address practices and equipment and supplies.

Practices are limited to those things we do and usually have nothing to do with things we can buy. They are habits that can keep us from harming ourselves.

Some of the most important safety habits occur before we ever enter our shop. They
begin with having the proper mental attitude.A woodshop is filled with things that could be very harmful if you are not paying proper attention. If you happen to be distracted by something external, it might be best to plan for another time.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. Woodworking and intoxicating substances can be a very dangerous mix. Stay out of the wood shop if you are even slightly under the influence of any intoxicants. It may seem harmless for the weekend woodworker to have a beer (or two) while working on a project, avoid the temptation until you’re finished with the woodworking. You will be much less likely to have a problem while you’re clean and sober when working with your power tools.

Dress appropriately before you enter the work area.This means no loose fitting
clothing, no dangling jewelry, chains, bracelets nor items such as neck ties. This
even includes long hair. Tuck it up out of the way. Tuck in clothes. Long sleeve shirts should be either rolled up above the elbows or buttoned properly. We want to avoid anything that could possibly become entangled in one of the tools.

Eye protection must be worn at all times.Get in the habit. Wear eye protection whenever you enter the work area. This is likely one of the most critical safety issues.Prevent eye injury.

Keep your work area clean and free from debris and clutter.

Be familiar with your tools and equipment. Read the instruction manual(s). Use sharp tools, bits and blades. Sharp tools are much safer than dull ones and they also make significantly cleaner cuts.

Be sure to disconnect the electrical power cord when you need to change a
blade or bit on a power tool. This prevents the possibility of starting the
tool by bumping the switch. Many woodworkers have paid dearly for ignoring this rule.

This list is not meant to be complete, by any means. Specific tools have their own sets
of safety rules and they can be addressed when we encounter these tools.This is merely a starting point for our journey as a beginning woodworker.

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