So perhaps you are new to woodworking, or perhaps you’ve been at it for a while just want to make sure that your safety equipment is up to snuff. Whatever your reason for visiting, I welcome you and am excited to present to you my official Woodworking Safety Equipment List, complete with nine woodworking gear suggestions!
In short, some must have woodworking safety equipment includes:
- Eye Protection
- Face Shields
- Ear Protections
- Dust Masks
- Gloves
- Footwear
- Shop Apron
- Push Stick
- Finger Wrap Tape
(And don’t worry, I am not endorsing or trying to sell you any specific brands or products, I just want to make sure you’re working as safely and as smartly as possible.)
Eye Protection
I decided to start off my list with arguably the most important piece of safety gear you can invest in: eye protection. When it comes to protecting your eyes, there are a bunch of different types of safety goggles out there on the market. And the truth is, it’s not necessarily that one brand is better than another, but there are certain guidelines you should look for when selecting safety goggles. Keep on reading below to find out my safety goggle criteria.
Know what coating you’d like them to have
From anti-fog to anti-glare to anti-scratch, there are so many good quality options out there for safety goggles, but which one you should pick depends on what type of work you find yourself doing most often. For instance, if you tend to work more outside or in humid environments, an anti-fog coating might be best for you. However, if you often find that your woodworking can be hazardous, with shards of material putting your eyes at risk, then I suggest investing in goggles with the proper anti-scratch or anti-shatter properties.
Consider Safety Certified Glasses
ANSI Z87.1 may mean nothing to you right now, but it’s actually a goggle safety certification that can make this buying process a whole lot easier. With certain requirements such as lens thickness, peripheral vision visibility, and blunt impact, you can be sure that you’re getting some of the safest goggles on the market if you buy ones that carry this certification standard.
Face Shields
For several different reasons, some woodworkers prefer face shields over safety goggles. This might be because of the convenience of flipping the visor up and down, because it gives eye, nose, and mouth protection, or because they can be worn over traditional eyeglasses. Whatever the reason may be, there are many ANSI certified facial shields on the market that are high quality, some even for under $5.
Ear Protection
Next on our Woodworking Safety Equipment List is ear protection. And, just like safety goggles, ear protection comes in many different options with different features. From full on ear muffs to disposable ear plugs, it’s hard to know at first which option is the best for you, so below I’ll walk you through which type you should consider for your woodworking practice.
Ear Muff Style
If you find that you are working in the shop on a daily basis for three hours a day or more, ear muffs are the way to go. This is because they offer the most protection for your ears that are constantly being exposed to loud machinery. While some people may find them bulky or uncomfortable, it’s the price you’ll have to pay if you want to maintain your hearing and find yourself woodworking day in and day out.
Ear Plug Bands
Price wise and protection wise, these are certainly the middle of the road option, and probably what we most highly recommend. The band design offers comfort and allows you to pop them in and out of your ear with little effort, and without losing them. Additionally, band style earplugs are usually rated at any appropriate decibel level for most woodworking, so it’s the perfect option for protection and comfort.
Foam Disposable Earplugs
While these are certainly the most comfortable option, since the foam will perfectly mold to the shape of your ear and not fall out, it is also the option that offers the least protection. While there are some more expensive brands out there that claim up to 33 decibel protection, these really aren’t ideal for the heavy duty woodworker, but rather more suited to someone who finds themselves in the wood shop on more of a weekly basis as a hobby.
Dust Masks
Some people new to woodworking forget that sawdust is a real hazard that needs to be considered. While it’s not 100% necessary to always wear a dust mask or respirator when working, (use your discretion as to how much saw dust you’ll be making), it really is a must if you’re sanding on a regular basis.
When purchasing one (they can run as cheap as $2) make sure they will be compatible with your safety goggles. This means you should highly consider buying a dust mask with an exhaust, as to not fog up your goggles while working, and also, be sure the design of it will fit comfortably with your chosen safety goggles.
Because let’s face it, having your safety goggles and dust mask overlap isn’t just annoying, it’s unsafe too as it allows space for harmful particles to make their way into your eyes, nose, and/or mouth.
Gloves
When working with wood, there are so many different things to protect your hands from, whether it’s splinters, rusty nails, or machinery, so you want to make sure you’re wearing gloves that can handle all of these different hazards. Be sure the glove is cut resistant, while also still being pliable enough to maneuver your materials and machinery with little hassle.
Additionally, depending on the type of machinery you typically work with, some woodworkers prefer gloves that offer cushioning to absorb impact and/or high vibrations.
And, like the safety goggles and facial protection, you can check if your gloves are ANSI cut certified before purchasing. (Or, if you’re more into wood carving, consider thumb and finger guards so that you can protect your finger tips without losing your hand dexterity.)
Footwear
While there are infinite choices of footwear out there on the market, when woodworking, it’s important that yours have a few important qualities: durability, closed toes (even steel toed can be appropriate in some cases), and slip resistant. As long as your woodworking footwear checks off all those boxes, and your shoelaces are tightly tied, then you can consider your shoes to be woodworking-proof.
Shop Apron
This is not a required safety item like the others, although some prefer it since it offers safety and convenience all at once. Shop aprons come in all different materials and colors, but the most important thing to consider when buying a shop apron is durability and practicality. Some are made of canvas and are water-resistant, some have hammer loops, some are adjustable in size, etc. The list goes on and on, so do your research on this safety product to get your best preferred mix of protection and storage.
Push Stick
Depending on the type of machinery you frequently work with, a push stick can definitely come in handy. Push sticks are helpful when you feel the urge to guide your material through a piece of machinery, like a saw, but don’t want to risk getting your hand too close to the blade.
Push sticks come in all varieties, with some woodworkers making their own out of plywood and others purchasing ones that are spring loaded with a rubber base. Since one isn’t necessarily better than the other, it is going to come down to your preference when it comes to a push stick’s material and length.
Finger Wrap Tape
High friction finger tape is a great option for people who are working with small pieces of wood and want to protect themselves from splinters or small cuts and abrasions. Or, even if you already have a small cut or wound that you are hoping to keep protected from saw dust, machinery, etc, this is the perfect product to cover it up quickly and safely.
Additionally, if you find the right brand, this tape won’t leave behind a sticky residue and will actually make your grip on the wood you’re working with better and therefore safer.
Bonus Safety Tips!
While these aren’t necessarily products you’ll have to buy, there are many other safety precautions you can take while woodworking. Make sure that whatever clothing you’re wearing in the shop is appropriate and safe. This means there are no dangling pieces that can be sucked into machines like drawstrings and no long sleeves that can also get cut up.
If you do find yourself wearing long sleeves in the shop, simply make sure you roll them up to your elbows to keep them out of the way of machinery.
Additionally, any loose fitting clothing won’t do for woodworking. Make sure your clothing is more so on the form fitting side and that any long hair is tied back and dangling jewelry is removed for the safety of yourself and those around you.
Stay Safe
All in all, this is my complete Woodworking Safety Equipment List! Thanks for reading the whole way through, and I hope you enjoyed my gear suggestions. Stay safe out there and I’ll see you again soon!
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