Safety is important when working with lumber. From eye gear to the correct placement of your woodworking tools, there are a few safety tips all woodworkers should follow to avoid injuries and mistakes while cutting. Cincinnati, OH’s Huber Lumber Co. is here to list the top seven safety tips to practice while woodworking.

Top 7 Safety Tips for Working With Lumber

1. Safety Equipment & Clothing

Whenever you use noisy power tools, protect your ears with earplugs or ear muffs that shield your hearing. Wear safety glasses so splinters of lumber don’t get in your eyes, and when applying finishes to your woodworking project, wear latex gloves. You should also never wear baggy clothing or jewelry. These items can get caught in your machinery or tools.

2. Be Alert

Never drink or use drugs while operating woodworking equipment. Any impairment can lead to accidents, as your reaction time is dulled by these substances. You should also be well-rested and not suffering from fatigue or illness that may impair your judgment.

3. Blades & Bits

Your blades and bits should be sharp and clean, not dull or blunt. A dull cutting tool is very dangerous and can force a tool to work harder than it needs to. It can also cause kick back. A sharp blade or bit provides cleaner, smoother cuts without resistance.

4. Cut the Power

When changing blades or bits, always make sure your tools are off and unplugged. If you try to change or perform maintenance on your tools with the power on, there’s always a chance your tool will engage and cause injury.

5. Check Lumber for Metal

Inspect your lumber before sawing or cutting. Sometimes, stock can have nails, screws, and shards of metal. If these come in contact with your blades, it will not only damage your equipment, but it can cause injury to you if the tools kick back.

6. No Reaching

Never reach over a moving blade. Wait for machines to be completely stopped before removing any debris from your lumber. Using a discarded piece of wood or a stick to clear out waste is another option to keep your hands safe.

7. Move Against the Cutter

Bits and blades should cut against the movement. Tools are designed so the wood moves opposite of the cutting head. Always work in the correct direction to reduce the chance of damage to equipment or injury to yourself.

For the Cincinnati area, Huber Lumber Co. is the top provider of lumber and building supplies for kitchen designs, cabinets, windows, doors, and more. Their knowledgeable team offers customers advice on the best building materials for their project as well as assistance with designing. Visit them online or call (513) 731-4035 today for more information. You can also find the company on Facebook.