Safety First: Essential PPE and Precautions for Operating Woodworking Machines

Any woodworking environment, no matter how small, requires a certain amount of planning for safety. When using a wide range of woodworking machines that carry out intricate processes in a high-tech environment, you have to ensure precision and staff welfare at every stage. Those who work in this sector often find themselves exposed to a range of workplace hazards – some of which can pose significant health risks and also damage sensitive equipment. 

There have been significant advances in safety protocols, as laid down by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, incidents related to inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) still occur. In this blog, we will look at the essential PPE needed and precautions to take before operating woodworking machinery. 

Essential PPE
When operating any form of woodworking machine, it is important to ensure that you wear the correct PPE. This includes:

• Eye protection – Safety glasses, goggles or even a face shield are important to protect eyes from dust, fine airborne particles and even chemical fumes.
• Hearing protection – Earmuffs or earplugs can help reduce the impact of the loud noise created by woodworking machines.
• Gloves – These help to protect your hands from splinters. However, it is important to ensure that these are not worn near parts like rotating blades as they can get dragged in, resulting in injury.
• Correct clothing – The clothing you wear should be snug fitting with no loose cloth that could become caught in the moving parts of the machine. Dangling jewellery and scarves should be removed before operating any woodworking machine.
• Appropriate footwear – Sturdy, closed shoes should be worn to protect the feet from falling objects or injuries caused by standing on sharp objects such as nails. 

Essential precautions
In addition to ensuring that you are using the appropriate PPE when operating woodworking machinery, there are some essential precautions. These will help to ensure not only your safety but also that of anyone else around you. 

• Machine guards – All of your machinery should have guards in place. These should be properly maintained to offer adequate protection.
• Grounding – All machinery should be properly grounded before you use it to prevent electric shocks.
• Stock inspection – Before using any machinery, you should check the stock for any loose staples, knots, nails or other defects that might impact cutting.
• Cleanliness – Woodworking spaces can get messy quickly but taking a little time to clean up debris like shavings and wood dust can help to reduce the risk of accidents and slips.
• Correct maintenance – All of your machinery should be maintained on a regular basis. This will ensure that it is working properly and is as safe as possible to use. 

You cannot eliminate every chance of an accident occurring when operating woodworking machines. However, you can significantly reduce the possibility of an accident occurring by having the right PPE and appropriate precautions in place. For more insights into woodworking machinery, check out our blog today!