24 Chapter 2 Woodworking Safety
Safety Glasses,
Goggles, and Face
Shields
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is any
item that is worn to protect an individual from
injury or from exposure to harmful substances.
In the woodshop, one of the most important
pieces of personal protective equipment is eye
protection. Sawdust, fl ying wood chips, and
chemical splashes are common in the woodshop.
They can cause serious damage to your eyes.
Common types of eye protection include
safety glasses, safety goggles, and face shields,
Figure 2-2. If you wear regular eyeglasses, you
should use either safety goggles or a face shield
over your regular glasses, Figure 2-3. Make sure
the safety glasses, goggles, and face shields you
wear are clean and free of scratches that might
make it hard for you to see clearly.
Hearing Protection
Many woodworking machines produce loud,
high-frequency noises. Constant exposure to
these high frequencies can lead to hearing loss.
Hearing loss is often gradual and many times will
not be noticeable until it is severe and permanent.
Hearing protectors are personal protective
equipment that will help screen out high-frequency
noises but still allow you to carry on normal
conversation. Three types of hearing protectors
are earmuffs, earplugs, and banded earplugs,
Figure 2-4. These hearing protectors have a
noise reduction rating (NRR). The higher the
NRR number on the device, the better protec-
tion it will provide. For example, earmuffs will
usually have a rating of 20. Banded earplugs
will be rated 23, and other earplugs, 29. Refer
to the NRR number on the product. The rating
will vary from one manufacturer to another.
Avoid using cotton or wax. They offer very little
protection from high frequencies.
Safety goggles
Safety face shield Safety glasses
Figure 2-2. State and federal laws require the use
of eye protection in the shop.
Figure 2-3. A safety face shield can be worn over
regular eyeglasses.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher