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Power Tool Safety Tips for Beginners

If you are new to working with power tools, this article is for you!  But even if you happen to be an accomplished do-it-yourself-er, or even a pro, it never hurts to review the basics, especially where safety is concerned! Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself when working with power tools:

1.  Wear eye protection.  It should go without saying that you should always wear  eye protection  when operating power tools. The speed at which power tools operate can propel particles of metal, wood, dust etc, into the air before you even realize it. So, even if you are just doing a quick drilling job, protect your eyes by always wearing safety glasses. Safety glasses are inexpensive, and well, as the old saying goes, better safe than sorry!  

2.  Wear hearing protection.  This is a step that is easy to forget or not think about, but is especially important if you are working with tools that are very loud, or you are going to be using the tools for longer than a few minutes.  You might be surprised to know that it is unfortunately easy to damage your hearing by using power tools without earplugs. Any hearing protection will help to protect you. If you don’t want to buy the earmuff type, pick up a box of the foam disposable type, and keep it within easy reach in your garage or shop.

3.  Dress Appropriately.   Remove dangling jewelry that might get in the way.  Tie back long hair.  Wear solid closed-toe shoes or boots.  For certain types of power tools, such as a table saw or wet saw, you will want to roll up long sleeves or wear short sleeves. Consider whether gloves will protect you or actually become more of a potential hazard (such as when working with a grinder).

3.  Always unplug the tool when making adjustments.  Again, this should go without saying. However, it can be easy to forget if you are caught up in a project, and just need to quickly make a small adjustment, such as changing the angle of a shoe. Just make it a habit to automatically unplug a tool when you are done operating it, and then plug it back in before using it again.

4.  Read the operating manual.  If you are using a tool that you are unfamiliar with, read the instruction manual before proceeding.  You should do this even if you are using a tool that you have used before, such as a drill or circular saw, but you have purchased or received a new one.  Every tool has its own style, limitations, and so forth, and it is important to familiarize yourself with the tool before beginning to use it.

5.   Inspect the tool before beginning to work.  This is a common practice on jobsites, but sometimes forgotten by those working on DIY projects at home.  Before beginning your project, check the power cord to make sure it is intact and undamaged.  Ensure that the proper guards are in place, and that there are no loose parts that might interfere with the safe operation of the tool.  Be certain to only use accessories that are approved for that particular tool.

6.   “If You are Not at Your Best, Take a Rest.”  It is smart to NOT use power tools if you are sick, on medication, have been drinking alcohol, are distracted, or are overly tired.  Like we said in the beginning, your personal safety should always come first. If you don’t feel 100% alert and ready to work with tools, it can always wait until later!

by See Jane Drill, Copyright 2018, All Rights Reserved