My Top Workshop Safety Tips

Hey there,

Matthew Peech here.

Let's be real—woodworking is one of the most rewarding things you can do with your hands… but it's also one of the easiest places to get hurt if you're not careful.

So today, I'm sharing a few simple workshop safety tips that can go a long way in protecting you from injury—and making sure your shop stays a space for creativity, not close calls.

🛠 The Essentials You Can’t Ignore

1. Gear Up Like Your Fingers Depend On It Safety glasses aren't just for show—they're the difference between a splinter in your eye and a story to tell. Invest in impact-rated glasses (look for ANSI Z87.1 certification), not just reading glasses. For dust protection, an N95 respirator will protect your lungs far better than those cheap paper masks. And hearing protection? Even "small" tools like routers can cause permanent hearing damage in minutes. Remember that hearing damage is cumulative and permanent—you don't get those sound frequencies back once they're gone.

2. Create a Workshop Flow That Protects You A cluttered shop isn't just messy—it's dangerous. Design your workspace with a logical workflow that keeps power cords away from cutting paths. Install anti-fatigue mats where you stand most often to prevent the distraction of aching feet. Keep a dedicated space for finishing that's well-ventilated and away from your dust-producing tools. Label emergency shutoffs with bright colors and test them monthly.

3. Know Your Tools Like Old Friends Tools give warning signs before they fail. Learn what your table saw sounds like when it's running properly, so you'll notice when something's off. Keep a maintenance log and schedule regular blade sharpening—a dull blade is far more dangerous than a sharp one because it causes kickback when the wood binds. Never remove blade guards or safety features—they exist because someone else already learned that lesson the hard way.

4. Respect the Red Zone Every cutting tool has a "red zone"—the area where your hands should never be. Visualize this zone before every cut. Use push sticks, featherboards, and jigs religiously, especially when working with pieces smaller than 6 inches. Remember: the most dangerous cut is always "just this one time" when you decide to break your safety rules.

5. Build a Safety Mindset, Not Just a Shop The most important safety tool is between your ears. Never work when tired, rushed, or after even a single beer. The statistics don't lie—most serious workshop accidents happen during the last hour of the day or when trying to "quickly finish" before dinner. Create a pre-work ritual: take three deep breaths, visualize the cuts you'll make, and check your surroundings before powering up.

6. Emergency Preparedness Is Non-Negotiable Mount a fire extinguisher rated for wood and electrical fires within arm's reach of your main work area. Keep a fully-stocked first aid kit with items specific to woodworking injuries—including clean cloths for pressure application, eye wash, and burn treatment. Program emergency contacts in your phone under ICE (In Case of Emergency) and consider a workshop monitoring system if you frequently work alone.

7. Electrical Safety: The Silent Protector GFCI outlets aren't just code requirements—they're lifesavers in a shop environment where moisture and conductive sawdust are present. Inspect power cords monthly for nicks or wear. Never daisy-chain power strips or use indoor tools in wet conditions. Consider installing a dedicated emergency shutoff switch that kills power to all tools with one motion.

The Bottom Line: Your most valuable tools are the ones attached to your arms. No project is worth risking them, and no deadline justifies shortcuts on safety. The best craftspeople aren't just skilled—they're still around to keep creating because they prioritized working smart over working fast.

🧠 Bonus Tips for Extra Peace of Mind:

• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you don't miss the fine details.

• If possible, don't work alone—have someone nearby or keep your phone close.

• Learn basic first aid—because bandages beat panic.

• Keep a safety checklist in your shop as a quick pre-build ritual.

🎥 Want In-Depth Safety Demos + 6 Skill-Building Projects?

In Woodworking Kickstart, I go beyond tips and actually walk you through the safety procedures I use every single day in my shop—from tool setup to finishing.

You'll also build six complete projects that teach you not just the how, but the why behind everything you're doing—so you build confidently and safely.

And right now, when you join, you'll get $300 worth of my best-selling project plans, free.

👉 Click here to join Woodworking Kickstart & claim your $300 bonus plans

Inside the course, you'll get:
🔹 20+ video lessons with real-time demonstrations
🔹 Printable plans, cut lists, and tool guides
🔹 In-depth tool walkthroughs & safety refreshers
🔹 Access to our private community of over 600 woodworkers

If you're ready to build safer, smarter, and more skillfully—this is where it starts.

Stay safe out there and keep making sawdust,
Matthew Peech