In woodwork you work with hand tools which may be the sources of danger. So in addition to being familiar with the tools and their correct use, one must be aware of the dangers of accidents as well as with the ways to prevent them. The prevention of accidents, the avoidance of dangers requires the right selection of tools, their correct use and proper storage.
Always use sharp tools suitable for your work! If you use blunt, unsuitable tools, you only struggle and use greater force, whereby your tool slips and breaks more easily.
Always check the handles of your tools beforehand to avoid getting hurt by broken or cracked handles.
Make sure that the handles are not greasy or slippery so that they can be held firm in your hand.
Tool handles should be properly fixed! Handles falling off while you are working are very dangerous. In the case of files, they can cause especially serious injuries.
Do not lengthen the handles of your tools in order to produce greater force. This holds especially for pliers and wrenches. They may break and you might get seriously injured. Flying off bolts, too, may cause injuries.
When working with electricity, use isolated tools.
Keep order around you while working. Do not keep your tools in a mess or else you may accidentally cut yourself with a blade and the danger of falling tools is greater, too.
From time to time, tidy up around yourself.
In your tool cabinet, each tool should have its own place. Keep cutting tools in their boxes or in strong linen cases. Cover the blades of unused tools with blade protectors to avoid getting hurt by a blade.
Where possible keep chemicals, paints and oils safely closed off.
Avoid keeping tools hanging out of drawers or cabinets so as to prevent getting caught while moving around them.
Do not try to catch a falling tool either by hand or by foot. In the case of knives, chisels or saws you may get seriously injured. Let them fall!
Do not put your hand in front of a chisel when chiselling or carving.
Work in a spacey area; avoid being restricted in your movements. Avoid working in an uncomfortable position.
Always fix your workpieces properly. Never hold the workpiece you work on in your hand!
Your workpiece should be properly fixed especially in the case of chiselling and drilling.
Unless you hold the drill in a right angle to the surface, it may slip and hurt you.
Before using a hammer, make sure the head is securely held on the handle. If possible, other persons should not be present in your workspace. A flying hammer or hammer head may cause serious injury.
The blades of screwdrivers should not be blunt. Always choose the correct size fitting in the screw head.
Always choose your tools suiting the nature of your work and the size of your workpiece. Your tools should not be too small or too large. This especially holds for hammers.
Don’t strain your tools.
Use safety glasses. Wood dust, flying wood chips, tools, nails, splashing glue or paint may get into your eyes.
In a dusty environment and for chiselling, use a respiration protector.
When working with chemicals, glues or paints choose an airy space and wear clothes covering the whole surface of your skin. Use safety glasses.
Wipe off any chemicals that get onto your skin or into your eyes immediately. Wash your hands and wash out your eyes.
If you swallow chemicals by accident, comply with the instructions on the bottle.
Before using chemicals, read and familiarise with the use, safety and health protection instructions.
Avoid working with chemicals around open fire!
Since you work with wood, you produce tiny wood chips and wood dust, so take special care of fire protection.
If possible cover your table with paper before gluing, painting or oiling. Remove any remains of chemicals using paper where possible. Paper towels may come in useful. In many cases using a piece of textile for the purpose is not allowed!
If you use a piece of textile for wiping off oil, spread it to dry when you have finished working. In many cases, textiles left unspread, in a heap, may develop heat and catch fire.
Don’t throw away or flush leftover chemicals or chemical wipes. Take them to waste disposal yards.
Considering the smoke generated, use pyrographs in airy spaces. Before using a pyrograph, remove inflammable objects. Always keep your pyrograph in its case. Do not leave it plugged in and unattended. Put it back in your case after it has cooled down only.
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