Protecting Yourself in a Home Workshop

In an industrial workplace you can see safety policies and procedures at work. Signs remind workers about wearing the required apparel. Regular rest periods are scheduled. Supervisors keep a watchful eye on operations.

Many workplace safety regulations are required by government agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which inspects and monitors companies for compliance and gives fines for negligence.

No such formal regulations exist for a home workshop, meaning it is the job of the individuals working there to be highly safety conscious.

The National Safety Council reports that about 3.6 million people are injured in home accidents each year, many in workshops.

Setting Up a Safe Shop
Before you begin working, make your workshop clutter-free:

• Keep floors swept and free of small objects to avoid slips and falls. Wrap up all power and extension cords and keep them off the floor. Store small items such as screws and washers in a box with a lid to help prevent them from spilling on the floor or into blades, belts or motors.
• Give yourself ample workspace and stable work surfaces; if you are cramped or forced into an uncomfortable position, mishaps are more likely to occur. Also make sure the area is properly lit, heated or cooled, and ventilated.
• Store flammable liquids only in approved safety cans inside storage cabinets.
• Equip your shop with a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher. Like a work site, have an evacuation plan in case of an emergency.
• Prepare a basic first aid kit and keep it in an accessible place. Essential items include bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, scissors and tweezers.
• If you will have visitors, especially youngsters, designate a zone where it's safe for them to sit or stand while you work.

Practice Good Work Habits
Once you're ready to start work:

• Always use the right tool for the job; if you don't have it, borrow it. Likewise, always get help from another person for heavy or difficult jobs.
• Read tool instructions manuals before turning tools on. Do not use power equipment near water sources.
• Use protection. Wear safety shoes and gloves when needed; safety glasses or goggles when you drill, sand, saw or do other hazardous work; ear protection for noise and particle masks for sawdust.
• Disconnect power tools or lock their switches when not in use.
• Dispose of oily, greasy or paint-covered rags in appropriate containers.
• Keep track of time. If you feel tired, take a break or stop working altogether.
• If you are working alone in a detached building or garage, let a family member know when you are starting and how long you plan to work. Take a portable or cellular phone with you in case you need to call for help. Have a list of emergency numbers on hand.