A Guide to Tool Safety

Posted 10/20/2022 by The Handprint Team

Illustration showing a power drill driver, hammer, and small clamp

In our Guide to Protective Gear, we talk about four must-have pieces of safety protection and the importance of wearing them every time you work with wood.

Combine that advice with these quick tips on the essentials of tool safety, and you'll be sure you're as safe as you are successful.

1. Carefully read all Instructions in the Owner's Manual

Actually, just read the owner's manual cover to cover. Because before starting any project, the most important thing is to learn how to use your tools safely and correctly. By becoming well-acquainted with their features and operation — then practicing on a few scraps — you'll gain the confidence and skills needed to complete any project.

2. Follow best practices for power tools — with and without an electrical cord

Fortunately, most of us have been using electrical appliances and tools with cords for a long time. Follow the same general precautions you would for a blow dryer, and you'll be headed in the right direction.

Never carry a tool by the cord
Never use the cord to yank the plug out of the outlet
Keep cords away from heat and sharp objects
Make sure the power switch is in the off position before plugging in
Avoid electrocution by only using tools at a safe distance from water
Unplug tools when you're finished using them

While battery-powered tools eliminate the risk of electrocution, the most common injuries happen when they're incorrectly carried to or from a work area. To avoid accidentally turning on a tool while transporting it:

Never carry it in your arms or hold it against your torso
If it comes with a carrying case, use it
If the manufacturer didn't add extra safety measures to prevent the power switch from inadvertently turning on, carry the tool and the battery separately
When recharging batteries, avoid the risk of fire by only using the charger supplied with the tool

3. Follow best practices for hand tools

As discussed, hand protection is vital when working with wood, but never more so than when using hand tools. Even outfitted with the proper hand protection, there are still safety issues to keep in mind.

Make sure you still have good manual dexterity
Never try to hold a piece of wood in your hand while trying to cut or fasten it -- lay it on a work surface or clamp it instead
When cutting, always move the blade in the away-from-you direction

4. Keep your tools clean, well-maintained, and stored properly

Keeping your tools like-new is the best way to enjoy their optimal performance for as long as possible.

Clean your tools by wiping off debris after each use before putting them away
If your tools get wet, dry them thoroughly -- rust is Enemy #1
Only use tools that are in proper working condition – no loose hammerheads or dull blades
Keep cutting tools sharp for the best, safest, most consistent results
Store your tools to keep them safe from damage, dirt, and the elements
Consider pegboard for organization or choose a toolbox for portability

Just remember: A little patience and practice with your tools will set you up for a lifetime of safe projects.

Tips:

For the cleanest saw cuts, consider trying any or all of the following:

Use a new, fine-tooth, 80-tooth or more, carbide, combination sawblade.
Score your cutline first using a straight edge and a sharp blade, like a utility knife or razor blade. (The cutline is the line the sawblade will travel.) When measuring, add the width of the sawblade to your mark.
Give extra support to the wood fibers along the cutline by running a piece of painters’ tape over it.
If an extra-clean cut is important, securely clamp a second, thin piece of scrap wood to the bottom of the piece you’re cutting.
Frayed edges can be easily cleaned up with some quick sanding. A badly chewed edge can be repaired with wood filler or woody putty as needed.