Woodworking can be a creative and fun job or hobby, but it can also be a little risky. If you are not carefully using power tools, machines, and sharp tools, woodworking can result in severe cuts and injuries. Even industries now are investing on safety accessories like the forklift rear post to help keep their workers safe.
Using protective gear and safety tools will ensure overall safety and is an important part of taking extra care and precautions. Here are some safety gears and tools that you should have in your woodworking shop:
1. Push stick
The push block or stick is a handy tool, which is made of composite runner or plywood, gives you better control when pushing small stock through your router or table saw without leaving you with small cuts or scratches. This tool will help put distance from the blades to your hands.
2. Face shield
Some use safety glasses to shield their eyes from flying debris, but they leave the rest of your face exposed. A face shield can cover your entire face without affecting your work or your ability to see clearly.
3. Leather thumb & finger guards
This handy gear protects your knuckles and fingers while holding a knife, which makes it ideal for carving.
4. High friction guard tape
This latex-impregnated gauze, which was initially created as a non-stick veterinary bandage, shields fingers from scrapes and cuts. Simply wrap a small portion around the appropriate appendage after tearing the tape off.
Its ability to prevent wounds and hold onto small objects will be appreciated by carvers. The friction finger wrap will not leave a tacky residue on your skin or tool handles because it only adheres to itself.
5. Cut-resistant gloves
Cut-resistant gloves are made with various levels of protection. These gloves will help reduce your risk of getting cuts on your hands, especially when carving or whittling.
For proper protection, different kinds of woodworking may necessitate varying degrees of cut resistance.
There 2 types of standards for cut resistance; the American standard and the European standard. Here is a basic woodworking guide to follow:
- Look for mid-level cut resistance, such as A3 to A5 (United States standard) or C to E (European standard), if you’re working on intricate or curved surfaces and need to balance cut resistance and dexterity.
- You require the highest level of protection when sharpening tools, using power tools, or drilling. Look for a cut-resistance level of A5 or higher (US standard) or E to F (European standard).
6. Anti-vibration gloves
Nerves, blood vessels, muscles, bones, and joints can be damaged by vibrations that travel into the hands and arms. This can result in serious injuries over time, such as Raynaud’s disease, vibration white finger, or hand-arm vibration syndrome.
Handheld power tools are the most common cause of vibration in the hands and arms. Grinders, sanders, and saws’ high-frequency vibrations can be minimized most effectively with anti-vibration gloves. Tools like tampers, chisels, and pavement breakers, which vibrate at lower frequencies, do not work well with these gloves.
7. Woodworking apron
If our clothing does not provide us with protection, it can sometimes hinder our work. A leather apron not only makes you look like a master woodworker but also serves as useful safety gear, making it worthwhile to dress comfortably for the job.
8. Respirator
You might need to wear respirators because the fume, stain, and paint smell can make you sick and harm your lungs. These effects on health may not be obvious at first, but they can get worse over time.
Think about the maximum amount of dust you can take in before your lungs become clogged. Dust and wood paints can irritate some people as well. Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals that are frequently used in woodworking can result in serious respiratory problems and even cancer.
Some only use dust masks but a respirator offers better protection. If you have the budget, you can also install a dust collector from Ontario to help deal with dust.
9. Ear protectors
The majority, if not all power tools and machines, emit loud and irritating noises. It’s possible that you’ll get used to it over time, but it will not be good for your hearing. With ear protectors, those sounds won’t bother you anymore.
Although it is important to have all of the necessary tools for woodworking to work effectively and efficiently, safety gear and equipment should also be guaranteed because they help ensure your well-being, which should be your top priority.
