There is no doubt that woodworking is an excellent way to express your creativity in design. It is a very profitable profession as well. However, whether you are a carpenter or a student working in a wood workshop, you need to be safe around the machines and tools used to carve the wood and create a piece.
Anything unfortunate can occur when you are around heavy-duty machines. You can get a small cut from a blade or get your hand ripped off in one go. It is imperative to wear high-quality protective gear to ensure safe shop practices.
A workshop well equipped with safety equipment is the only place where you can prevent such accidents. We bring the ten best woodworking safety equipment needed to remain safe in a workshop.
The Ten Best Woodworking Safety Equipment
Safety Goggles
ASIN: B01A12J3GI
The safety goggles or glasses are essential while sawing the wood because the sawdust can cause itchiness, red eyes, and other allergic reactions to the eyes. It is incredibly harmful and irritating. A pair of safety goggles can protect your eyes from getting infected by the dust.
The safety goggles are no ordinary glasses; they are scratch-resistant and cannot shatter easily. These are available online on Amazon and any other online store.
Earmuffs
ASIN: B0723CYHPZ
The second safety gadget is for ear protection. Earmuffs with soundproofing can aid you while using heavy-duty machinery and power tools. You might think this is unnecessary; however, you will know otherwise once you start hearing less due to prolonged exposure to loud noises.
The noise can harm your ears and give you hearing issues. You may even lose your hearing permanently. To avoid such mishaps, always use earmuffs to cover your ears. The hearing protection available these days have Bluetooth and an integrated microphone which allows you to make phone calls without taking them off.
Half Mask Respirator
ASIN: B013SIIBFQ
After covering your eyes and ears, you need to protect your nose and mouth. Use a Half face mask to cover the area near your mouth so that no dust or debris of wood gets inside your body and causes infection. The worst-case scenario can be lung damage from inhaling access sawdust.
The half-mask respirator is not made up of latex so that it won’t cause allergic reactions. It comes with reusable filters that can filter out the particles in the mask.
General Utility Gloves
ASIN: B00004XOH8
The General utility gloves can protect your hands against vibrations from the machinery. Constant exposure to vibrations can harm your body on a molecular level which is not detectable easily.
The abrasion resistance and high-performance material used in making these gloves prove their potential as a piece of safety equipment.
Cut-Resistant Gloves
ASIN: ‎B075D82SGC
General gloves will give you protection against all other issues except for cuts. There are special nitrile-coated gloves made from blended polyethylene to prevent scratches. These are available online at budget-friendly prices.
Face Shield
ASIN: B07PPCWV38
A face shield is essential if you are incorporating welding into the wood. Sometimes sparks come out of the sawing or other power tools. These sparks can burn your face. To protect your face, you must wear a shield made of a high-density polycarbonate lens. Shields with adjustable lenses, headgear, and cushioned headbands are available on Amazon.
Push Block System
ASIN: B001I9UNWC
These are push blocks for table saws so that you can carry wood using them and avoid getting your hands near the saw blades. These are adjustable and can have many loads. In addition to it, you can use it as a handle while cutting the wood on a saw.
Leather Apron
ASIN: B096CJYH8N
Imagine if your little tools were misplaced all the time, or your clothes were filled with sawdust that clogged your washing machine. You wouldn’t need to think of such hassles if you had a leather apron on you while working. A leather apron is a multifunctional apron with too many pockets that you will feel like wearing an aisle of a hardware store on your neck.
Not only pockets, but it also gives you protection against dust and spark. Beware, never use machines that give out sparks if you wear flammable clothes. The adjustable, user-friendly apron is available online and at a fantastic discount on Amazon.
Boots
ASIN: B000XEYRZ2
No ordinary boots will work in a wood workshop. Say goodbye to your toes if a plank of wood slips and falls on you or if your toes get stubbed all the time. You need to wear industrial boots with a steel covering over the toe area to prevent such accidents. These are pretty expensive, but they work for years, and nothing is worth more than your feet. You might find shoes on deals on Amazon.
Helmets
ASIN: B07P7TKL9G
The one part of the body that needs the most protection is the skull. You can’t risk having your brains splattered everywhere just by a wood plank. The helmets available have pressure diffusing technology, so it won’t affect you even if something falls on your head. Wear a helmet to protect your head which you can buy easily anywhere.
Our Final Thoughts
Safety comes before anything. It is expensive but an investment made for a lifetime. Wearing protective gear can improve your quality of life and save you from impairments for life.
If shipping in your area is a hassle or expensive, or you would like to buy from a shop that deals in the best woodworking safety equipment, you can try your local woodshop. Some online stores may be helpful, too. The online shop caters to all the needs of woodworkers at reasonable prices.
