26 Chapter 2 Woodworking Safety
Protection for Your
Hands
When handling lumber or fi nishing supplies,
you may need to protect your hands from splin-
ters, sharp edges, or chemicals. Work gloves can be
worn when you have to carry lumber, plywood, or
hand tools with sharp edges. When working with
solvents, fi nishing supplies, or adhesives, it is best
to wear plastic or rubber gloves. These will pre-
vent liquids from penetrating your skin. Be sure
to use the right type of glove for the chemicals
you will be handling. See Figure 2-9.
Lifting and Carrying
While working in the woodshop, you might
have to move lumber or plywood or a project.
Follow proper lifting and carrying procedures to
avoid injuries. Stand close to the load, bend your
knees, and hold onto the object fi rmly. As you
lift, straighten your legs and move upward. Do
not bend your back. If a load is too heavy or too
large for you to maintain complete control with-
out strain, do not lift it alone. Heavy and large
loads require multiple people to lift and carry.
General Safety
Practices
The woodshop is a great place to learn use-
ful skills, be creative, and practice teamwork. It
is also a place with more hazards than a regu-
lar classroom. Always think “safety fi rst” as you
work on your projects.
Figure 2-7. This NIOSH-approved respirator should
be worn where there are fumes from wood fi nishing
products.
Figure 2-8. Disposable dust masks can fi lter out most
particles. They are often worn during wood sanding.
Figure 2-9. Disposable gloves help protect your
hands from harmful chemicals
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher