Woodworking is enjoyable, but it also comes with risks. It’s essential to guard your eyes, ears, and lungs to ensure long-term safety. Here are some key points provided by the editors at the Woodworkers Institute:
Eye protection
Why it’s important: Flying wood chips, sawdust, and debris can cause severe eye injuries.
What to use: Always wear safety glasses or goggles rated for impact resistance (look for ANSI Z87.1 compliance). For dust-heavy environments, use goggles that seal around your eyes.
Shields: For added protection, especially when using power tools like routers or table saws, consider a face shield in addition to safety glasses.
Ear protection
Why it’s important: Power tools like saws, planers, and routers can produce noise levels above 85 decibels, which can lead to permanent hearing loss.
What to use:
Earplugs: Simple, inexpensive foam or silicone earplugs reduce noise by about 20-30 decibels.
Earmuffs: Noise-canceling earmuffs offer more comfort for long periods of use and can reduce noise levels significantly.
Dual Protection: For extremely loud environments, consider wearing both earplugs and earmuffs for maximum noise reduction.
Lung protection
Why it’s important: Inhalation of sawdust and fumes from finishes or adhesives can cause respiratory problems, both immediate (like coughing) and long-term (like asthma or even lung disease).
What to use:
Dust Masks: For basic protection against large particles, use an N95 dust mask.
Respirators: For finer particles or fumes from finishes or chemicals, use a half-mask respirator with the appropriate filters (look for P100 filters for wood dust).
Dust Collection System: Set up a dust collection system in your shop to minimise airborne particles. Portable shop vacs with HEPA filters can also help.
Additional tips
Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in your shop, especially when working with finishes or adhesives.
Regular Cleaning: Clean your work area regularly to reduce the buildup of dust and debris.
By consistently using these protective measures, you can enjoy woodworking safely while protecting your health.