Maker

THE SAFE WORKSHOP

Rules to make by. By William Gurstelle

Your workshop should be a welcoming and friendly place. The key lies in creating a safe and secure environment. Before embarking on a new project, it’s a good idea to take a close look at the working conditions in your shop.

If your project area gives you a vaguely nervous feeling, then now’s the time to bring things up to date. Don’t delay — inspect, review, and evaluate your space and make whatever changes seem necessary to keep you out of trouble.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas from the members of MAKE’s Technical Advisory Board to get you started. Have at it!

Wait 12 hours between sketching the plans and starting the construction process. The times people get hurt are usually when they’re excited and in a hurry. Slow down, and work deliberately.

Secure your work when using hand or power tools.

The high-decibel noise generated by power tools such as table saws and circular saws can damage your hearing. Protect your ears by using full-sized, earmuff-style protectors.

Wear a particle mask when appropriate to avoid breathing dust and other particulate pollutants that are common in workshops. Sawdust from treated wood and some plastics has known health risks.

Avoid using a table saw when you can. Statistically, it’s easily the most dangerous piece of equipment in the shop.

Aim away from yourself. When cutting with a utility knife, position yourself so that when you slip, the blade doesn’t land in your flesh.

Always use clamps, not your hands, to hold a work piece on a drill press table. If the tool binds, the work will spin dangerously.

Don’t touch a bare wire, or cut any wire, until you’re sure where the other end goes. When in doubt, measure the potential. This will save you from a possible heart-stopping electrical shock.

Obtain a pair of well-fitting, cool polycarb goggles, leather work gloves, and a protective lab coat. Make them attractive and stylish so that wearing safety equipment is fun. Pull back long hair.

Always keep a first aid kit in your workshop, and always know where it is. First aid kits can be purchased ready-made, or you can put them together yourself. Essential items include bandages, pads, gauze, scissors, tweezers, and tape.

If you work with heavy things — say, timbers or an angle iron — or are prone to dropping tools, steel-toed safety shoes are a great investment in long-term foot appearance.

Install a smoke detector in your shop and place a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach spot. Make sure the extinguisher is rated for all types of fires.

Photography by Jason Madara

44 Make: Volume 12