Woodworking Tip: Safety Tips

Woodworking can be dangerous if the proper safety precautions and practices are not used. My grandfather was an avid woodworker. While he was working in his wood shop one day, he had a piece of wood hit him in his eye and lost partial vision in that eye. I remember when I was framing houses and heard the story of a coworker who was “cutting wood off his leg” and sliced right through his thigh muscles (I know… doesn't sound very smart). I don’t want to scare you off, but I thought these examples would convey the inherent danger of working with power tools.

There are a few simple safety tips that can reduce, if not eliminate, the dangers associated with using woodworking tools. Below is a list of simple practices that can keep you safe!

Personal protective equipment (PPE): This is obvious, but often overlooked. Most important—where safety glasses or goggles. Eye injuries are one of the most common and serious woodworking injuries. Eye protection is very inexpensive and if you don’t have it, wear shatter-proof glasses or sunglasses. Ear protection is also very important. High decibel, repetitive sound can lead to long term hearing loss (though not noticeable right away). Ear plugs are very inexpensive and simple to use. Gloves are also good to wear when handling material. Slivers are painful and very annoying. I like to wear gloves especially when handling plywood and OSB sheets. I do not suggest wearing gloves when using power tools. They get in the way and create a potential snagging hazard. In short, they do more harm than good with power tools.

Keep loose clothing and hair away from moving parts: This is fairly self-explanatory, but check your clothing, hair, jewelry, etc. before you begin using power tools. In the construction industry, a lot of companies have strict policies of removing all jewelry and loose clothing around the hands before work begins. If something gets snagged in the blade, there is a high risk of serious injury and tool damage.

Use tools as they are intended to be used: As nerdy as it sounds, I like to read tool’s owner’s manuals when I buy them and reread them periodically. For one, it explains all the cool things the tool is capable of and how the tool is supposed to be used (along with safety instructions). Tools come with built-in safety features such as guards, safety triggers and double triggers and if they are modified or removed, the risk or injury increases. Being familiar with the tool is the best way to prevent injury.

Checking and adjusting power tools: Before changing the blade or bit or adjusting the tool, unplug it. That is the best way to ensure the tool won’t accidentally engage when you are working around the blade or bit. Also, before using the tool, inspect it to make sure all fences, levers, adjustments, shoes, etc. are locked in place and ready to be used. I can’t tell you how many times I've started using a circular saw and the shoe wasn't locked or started using a miter saw and the miter latch or bevel latch wasn't locked into place. This can create a very dangerous situation (and ruin your cut).

Be aware of the potential dangers and move your fingers: When using a nail gun, keep your fingers away from the location where the nail could misfire. When using a table saw or circular saw, keep your fingers away from the blade and use something else to hold materials in place if the material is required to be close to the blade (e.g., push stick or clamps).

Set the blade to the proper depth: Believe it or not, having the blade set too deep create a dangerous condition. I like to set the blade depth on my circular saw and table saw to about ¼” deeper or taller than my material. This reduces the risk of accidentally touching the blade or (with a circular saw) cutting too deep into the area below the material.

Hold materials tightly: Hold your lumber tightly when you are woodworking. Letting go of material or stopping halfway through a cut can create a dangerous situation. Woodworking requires strength and confidence. Make sure materials are secured before beginning a cut.

Don’t get complacent: Every time you begin using power tools, think through the potential dangers and take the necessary precautions to finish the job unharmed. Becoming familiar with the tools and processes causes complacency and it is the one time you don’t take the necessary precautions that you get injured.

Be safe and think before you do. As the saying goes, “measure twice, cut once.”