10 General Workshop Safety Tips Rules
Safety Tips Safety in the workshop is very important. We all know the basics of safety in a shop, but few of us actually enforce them. We’re always in a rush and forget to take the proper precautions when operating machines. The safety of your workshop is more important than how you set up your shop.
How often have I heard, “I was in hurry” or “It’s a quick job. Following the correct safety procedures could have taken more time than the actual task?”
Speed kills not only on our roads but also in our workshop. If people had taken the time to consider workshop safety, they could have prevented thousands of accidents.
In the wrong hands, most of the tools and equipment used in the workshop are dangerous. Each machine and tool has a purpose and it is important to not use them for anything else. Before a woodworker can handle dangerous machinery, he/she must receive the proper training.
It is not an exhaustive guide to woodworking safety, but it covers the most important rules. This article is sure to have missed some very important rules. Please let me know if you think something is missing.
Common sense and adherence to safety rules will make your woodworking experience enjoyable and safe for many years. You can avoid workplace injuries by focusing on your work and keeping your mind focused on it.
10 General Rules for Workshop Safety
1. Dress for the Occasion
When working with machines, it is important to wear the right clothing. The sign above says that a machine does not have a brain, and it is easy to get tangled in one. Wearing baggy, loose or otherwise ill fitting clothing is not allowed in the workshop. Wear no jewelry or loose items.
When you bend down to work on the machine, nothing should hang down. It is best to remove your tie completely, rather than tuck it into your shirt. Roll up long sleeves. Gloves are worn by some people, but they can be dangerous. The gloves can easily get caught in the moving parts of a machine. It is fine to wear gloves while moving boards or wood, but remove them before using a machine.
2. Vision Protection
Some laws simply say “wear safety gear”. Safety glasses are inexpensive and will save you money and headaches in the end. I went a step farther and said that you should always wear safety glasses while working. It’s because wood chips and debris can be thrown in your eyes or face at any time while cutting, sanding etc.
Wear your safety glasses even when you are not operating machinery. It is too high a risk to damage your eyes. When you hit with a hammer or mix varnish or solvent-based stains, or sand a piece wood by hand, something can enter your eye. You can get safety glasses in different colours if you want to look stylish while working.
3. Keep Your Workshop Clean
The loose, tangled extension cords that are lying around everywhere is one of my biggest pet peeves. Many workshop accidents are caused by this. You need to use extension cords regularly, but there is a safer way. Use square tubing that hangs from the ceiling. This way, you can make the power more permanent and have it anywhere in your shop without having to worry about damaging or tripping the cable.
Workshop floors can quickly become cluttered with various obstacles, such as sawdust, wood, and even power tools. It’s true, I saw it a lot in woodworking shops and large factories. Many people forget about the importance of safety in workshops.
A vacuum system is very useful for two reasons. First, it keeps the work area clean and neat. Second, it eliminates another safety risk. It is essential to have an air duster that can be connected to your compressor. Regularly clean all electrical contacts on your machines, not only to avoid a fire risk but also to ensure that they work properly. Quite often, fine sawdust in the contactors or switches can be the cause of machines not starting.
4. No Alcohol, Drugs or Other Impairments!
You are not allowed to operate machinery while intoxicated, just as you would not drive a car. It’s common sense. While I’m certain there are many guys who enjoy a few beers while working on a project it is not generally recommended.
Do not do anything stupid to put yourself or others in danger. It is also important to avoid working when you are taking medications that can affect your ability operate machinery. You want to braai with your friends and show them your new project. You might feel the urge to show your friends how you did it.
5. Please Read the Book
It is a very important part of safety in the workshop. Each machine in your shop should have an operating manual. You can find the information you need on Google or Youtube if it is not available. You can find thousands of videos of machines being used and reviews on YouTube. Make sure your workers know how to use each machine. If you want to refresh your memory on how a machine works, make sure all manuals for that machine are available.
You can get the most out of each machine by knowing its capabilities and workings. It is a good idea, even if you already have an operating manual for a particular machine, to watch YouTube videos to see how others use them. Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal by using the internet. Always remember to read safety instructions and tips.
6. Keep Tools and Equipment Sharp
It is important for many reasons. You should first keep your blades performing well and sharp. If you notice that something is dulling, replace it with a new item or get it professionally sharpened. Tools that are dull or blunt will perform poorly and may even be dangerous.
A dull router bit, for example, can become damaged or break apart if it becomes too hot. A router bit is capable of spinning at speeds up to 26,000. The speed of the outer surface increases as the diameter (the larger the bit) increases. It can reach speeds exceeding 160 km/h. The flying debris can cause serious injury or damage if it breaks apart.
To keep machinery and equipment sharp, I also keep them clean and free of broken or missing pieces. Make sure the machine is properly oiled and set. Q20 Spray and Wd40 are good examples of lubricants. It must also be grounded properly.
Switch off the machine immediately if you hear funny noises or smell burning.
7. Avoid Distractions
It should be obvious that this is a basic rule. You should be aware that cell phones, and other distractions can affect your safety. When working on machines, you must give them your full attention.
You may get a call or a text, but finish whatever you are doing before responding. Before you respond. I like to listen to music in the background. It may be frowned upon under certain circumstances, but I don’t find it distracting as long as the volume isn’t too high. It is important to stay focused on what you are doing in any given moment and not let your mind wander.
8. Use Safety Tools to Assist You
Use tools that keep the workpiece stable and your hands away the cutter blade. Avoid operating machines without the safety covers and shields that were originally included. It can be a hassle, but the covers and safety shields are there for a good reason.
Use tools that will make your work safer and easier. These include push sticks, miter measures, custom-built sleds and featherboards. You can buy them off the shelf or make your own. These tools keep your hands off the blade while holding the workpiece. Table saw sleds can be used to hold panels steady and prevent kickback. Featherboards keep boards firmly against the fence on a table saw or router table.
These mediums are needed on any machine or tool that moves the wood, not the machine or tool. The saw, router/spindle cut or spindle can sometimes grab the workpiece or throw it faster than you think. These tools will help to prevent this and improve workshop safety.
9. Check Timber for Knots, Nails or Any Imperfections
It is important to inspect the wood you will be working with. You may find imperfections in the wood that cause it to stick, bind or kick back. You should inspect the workpiece prior to cutting or machining.
This is especially important if you are working with reclaimed wood, as it can hide nails, bolts, and other items. It is possible to cut through nails but the router or blade may be damaged. I wouldn’t recommend it. These objects are usually visible on the sides of the wood, but they can also be hidden deep within the plank. You can get a cheap Metal Detector at any good hardware shop. They are easy to use and operate. You will not regret spending R200-R300.
Moisture content can also play a role in the timber sticking to the blade. This is especially true when ripping long planks. The thicker the board, the more problematic it will be. You can also buy a cheap humidity meter at your local hardware store. This will help to prevent accidents and improve the quality of the end product. Wet wood is not acceptable. In South Africa, the acceptable moisture content is less than 12%. It will obviously be higher in coastal areas or areas with sub-tropical weather.
If you’re patient and willing to wait for longer cuts, knots in wood will not cause problems. Keep all blades sharp to avoid any problems. Remove any loose knots before cutting or machining.
10. Electrical Extension Cords
This is something I have already mentioned under the “Keep Your Workshop Clean” section, but I think it’s worth mentioning again. You should not need extension cords. Installing wiring in the ceiling and floor along with placing tools on the wall can help you achieve this. This isn’t always possible.
You should avoid tangles and strings of extension cords on the floor, as you are likely to need one. The best way to do this is by using only one extension cable. You will only ever have power for one machine at a time. You will also reduce the risk of tripping in your workshop, as well as the damage done to expensive power tools that fall on the floor when the cable gets caught on your foot.
Conclusion
Use the right machine for the task it was created for. Never try to force something to perform a task it was not designed to. Consider the safety tips for your workshop.
You will be well on your path to a safe and secure work environment if you follow these rules. This list is not exhaustive, as there are many other rules and guidelines I haven’t even considered or listed.
Even experts can have accidents.
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