Courtesy of State Compensation Insurance Fund (www.scif.com)

Woodworkers use machines, hand tools, and chemicals, to cut, fit, fasten, and finish wood materials into furniture, cabinetry, and other products. Hazards in the woodshop include severe cuts, punctures, and amputations; chemical and dust exposures with skin and respiratory irritation, and ergonomic injuries. Control these safety risks with preparation and precautions.

Get training and read the manufacturer's instructions for each piece of equipment that you use. Get training on the chemicals that you use; read material safety data sheets (MSDS) for proper mix ratio, safety equipment, cleanup, and disposal information.

Safety glasses prevent wood splinters from flying into your eyes. Wear hearing protection in the shop and around loud equipment. Wear close fitting clothes, tie your hair back, and remove jewelry to prevent getting caught in powered, moving equipment. Wear sturdy work gloves while handling stock material, but use chemical-resistant gloves when using chemicals and finishes. Sturdy work boots protect your toes and a slip resistant sole lessens the chance of slips and falls. Consider respiratory protection to prevent inhaling dust and fumes from chemicals and finishes.

Good lighting helps you see what you are doing. Practice power and hand tool safety. Inspect and maintain your tools and equipment properly. Use lockout/blockout before clearing jams, changing blades, and performing maintenance. Make sure that moving parts are properly guarded. Replace or tagout tools if they or their safety devices don't function properly.

Prevent cuts, punctures, amputations, and worse from shop tools by thinking while you use them. Know where your hands are at all times. When using cutting tools, check stock for metal that can be propelled by the spinning blade. Never place your hand near the blade. Use a push stick. Never force a board into a cutting blade, this can cause kickback or contact with the blade. Prevent slips, trips and falls by practicing good housekeeping. Control chemical fumes and airborne dust to prevent exposures, fire, and explosion. Apply finishes in spray booths or well-ventilated areas. Store chemicals with their lids on tight. Keep flammables in a flammable cabinet. Dispose of dirty rags and paper towels in flammable cans with self-closing lids.

Using tools and equipment to do fine, detailed, or repetitive work all day can cause fatigue, increasing your risk of ergonomic injury. Rotate your work tasks to use a variety of muscles each day. Take frequent micro-breaks to give your muscles a break.