The safety of the craftsman is the primary consideration in woodworking. It is important to keep in mind the safety precautions while at work because human life and body parts are more important than any masterpiece that it can produce. Injuries and hazards in handling sharp tools and equipment can be reduced and prevented by paying attention to details of proper tool handling techniques.
Body protection through wearing of appropriate safety equipment is the first and the most important precaution to look into. Some important safety pieces of equipment are safety glasses for eye protection in the whole duration of woodworking, hearing protection when using very noisy tools and latex gloves when dealing with chemicals for applying finishes. Another body protection tip is wearing of appropriate clothes whenever at work. Comfort in the craftsman’s clothing is important so that there is smooth flow of work. Wearing of jewelry while at woodwork should also be avoided. Another safety measure while at work is ensuring that the worker is not under the influence of alcohol and addictive drugs because this will not only affect the quality of the product but also harmful for the craftsman considering the hazards of power tools.
Changing of blades of electrical tools should be done by unplugging the power tool from the electricity source since any malfunction in its switch can cause harm in the worker’s fingers. In relation to this, using of only one heavy duty extension cord is a good technique because this can force the worker to switch off the cord before plugging in another tool or before changing blades. Using sharp blades and bits sounds unsafe but this is advisable because dull cutting tools requires extra effort of cutting and sometimes bounce back or get stuck in the wood. Also, sharp blades produce clean and high quality wood product. Further, checking for any metal in the wood, especially when it is recycled, should be done before cutting.
Working with sharp power tools should be done against the flow of the cutter as these tools are designed. Further, when removing the wastes and cut-offs, it is safer to wait until the blade stops. Using a piece of wood or scrap to remove the waste materials on the work table is a good way. Finally, the craftsman should concentrate on his work because distraction while cutting with power tools can be harmful.
Considering all those safety measures ensures a hazard-free woodworking environment. Following safety rules gives certainty of bringing out the best that any craftsman can do with the piece of wood.
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