Learn the tool before the task.
Read and follow the instructions for your exact tool, accessory, material, and finish. Get hands-on instruction when a machine or operation is unfamiliar. General articles cannot establish that a particular setup is safe.
Secure the work and plan the movement.
Use suitable workholding, keep the route around your bench clear, and think through where the workpiece, offcut, and tool will go. Keep guards and safety devices installed and functioning. Disconnect power before changing blades, bits, or making adjustments as directed by the manual.
Protect your eyes, hearing, and lungs.
Use appropriate eye and hearing protection and control dust at its source. Follow material and equipment guidance for respiratory protection. Keep loose clothing, jewelry, hair, and anything that can catch away from moving machinery. Do not wear gloves where they could be caught by rotating parts.
Treat finishes and unknown materials with care.
Read product labels and safety data sheets. Provide the specified ventilation and keep flammable products away from ignition sources. Oil-soaked application materials can heat and ignite; handle, store, and dispose of them exactly as the product and local waste guidance specify. Never leave them piled together. Avoid cutting or sanding unknown coatings or reclaimed materials until hazards are identified.
Keep projects within their purpose.
Our small project concepts are not engineered or load rated. Do not repurpose them for supporting people, children’s safety equipment, structural work, electrical enclosures, or other critical uses. Pause when tired, distracted, or uncertain.
Primary safety resources.
These general resources do not replace the manual for your equipment.