Blog - www.woodhappiness.com

So the time has come and you are so anxious to make your first wood box , your first wood small table for your afternoon coffee or whatever your "thirsty" wooden soul desires . And you love the whole proccess . From the sock and shoe you'll wear , for your forest exploration to find your wood piece you want , till the time you'll finish your project and give yourself a big smile from satisfaction . But before all that , there is a colossal issue you need to look after , so you can enjoy your woodworking hobby , with 100% brain calmness . You safety and the measures you should take , in order to be safe , healthy and don't get into several problems . I suppose this apply for all humans activities , because what is the purpose to do something , which will jeopardize our physical capability and our precious and irreplaceable life ? So let's begin with our safety list and general mentality you should be aware when you act woodworking , indoors and outdoors . 1) Adapt your Woodworking Clothing to the Season and Temperatures . You don't need heavy cotton socks , hard winter jackets , isothermally underwear and heavy snow boots , when you go to explore the mountains of Greece (or other hot places ) or in similar places in the july with 35 + celcious temperature !!!!!! You don't need unnecessary heavy clothing , in the hot months and you'll realize that , when you stop your exploration in the forest , because you found your wood piece and you go to cut it . The "rivers" of sweat will make your life so hard and it isn't just your uncomfort theme . If you are "drowning" in sweat and everything is slippery in your hands , the danger to hurt yourself by your cutting hand saw , or any other wood tool you use , is very very big and very common . So choose your clothing wisely and of course as you get more exprerienced in the forest and its "secrets" , you'll adjust your strategy and become efficient . Always use the appropriate clothing , considering the season of the year you'll go outside searching for your preferable wood materials . Lighter or heavier but as lighter as you can , because when you are walking for hours , you need less weight on your "shoulders" . Always try to wear very good shoes , with non - slip sole . You'll walk on "countless" slippery surfaces . 2) Have enough clean Water with you . Always have enough clean water with you , even if the winter months . You don't want dehydration from the hours of walking . The water will be usefull , also when you want to clean a skin scratch from a branch maybe , before you use your first aid set , if needed . 3) Have a Cell phone, fully charged . If you have company with you it's good , but having or not company always have in your pockets a cell phone , with a fully charged battery . If something bad happens to you or your company , you'll need to ask for help and the cellphone is the best contact solution , with the civilization . The forestry agency , doctors and hospitals for medical help , a friend from the closest village , a friend who is maybe a shepherd and he's in the area , are some of the first people , you should contact if you need help . 4) The First Aid kit and some Energy bars , are must . No matter where you act woodworking , the first aid kit ( fully equipped ) , is an absolute must and you should never neglect this from routine, or whatever . If a wound will need care no matter if you're indoors in your carpentry place - warehouse , or you're outdors in the forest , without a first aid kit how can you take care it ? You cannot , so never neglect the first aid kit and if you have some more advanced first aid general knowledge , even better . Make space in your pockets or in your backpack and have some energy bars (chocolate , honey , et.c ) , if you're outdoors searching for wood . The "countless" walking hours will need energy from you and this is something you should be aware of . 5) If you search for wood Outdoors , have a walking stick with you . For your walks in the forest it's very wise to have a stick with you , assisting you . The stick you'll have , and i suppose you'll choose a wooden stick , will help you identify the "hidden" holes in the ground , covered from snow , leafs , branches and many more . You don't want a wounded leg from a sneaky hole you didn't pay attention . You'll be surpised of how many "jobs" , a simple walking stick can do . From helping you climb a difficult road , to protect yourself from a snake and the list is endless . 6) Your Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) , should be in the best condition . A pair of gloves is always a must wood accessory and a significant help for you . If you can protect your hands and be more "free" to cut your branch ,without skin wounds and small or bigger bleedings from scratching , why neglect it ? Prefere the leather gloves .They are tougher and protect your hand's skin from the sharp wood branches , better than fabric ones . When you use your electric - gasoline chain saw , in order to cut your wooden material , log or whatever you have , you must wear the safety helmet - glasses - ear protection - gloves , equipment . Don't forget your hearing protection from the continuous noise of a chainsaw or whatever power tool you use and makes noise . The continuous exposure to noise without an ear protection( to reduce the db's ) , can damage your heairng in a long term . Your hands , your ears , your eyes , your skin , your lungs and respiratory system in general , your whole body is precious and irreplaceable and your 100% of your attention and focus is needed , when you act woodworking . 7) Be carefull with the use of Drugs , your Body's state and avoid Alcohol , totally . If you need to take some drugs even the lighter ones ( aspirin , et.c ) , i recommend you , to avoid acting woodworking these specific days . Yes , even the lighter interference to your brain's 100% clear state , may cause you serious problems no matter how good , you feel that you are . The use of your hand tools and the power ones , is a very serious theme and if you're 100% healthy in your body and mind, you should avoid woodworking and postpone the jobs you should do . Of course along with the use of drugs , the alcohol is a very dangerous situation . Zero alcohol is "accepted" in here and don't you even have a tiny glass of beer , wine or whatever else , when you act woodworking . I realize that this sounds too much , especially when you're an experienced carpenter with "tons" of confidence . Believe me , i've seen so many serious injuries to extremely professional woodworkers , caused by arrogant confidence . Never "underestimate the moment" and feel safe , because you are in your home . No "discounts" on you safety , no matter what . 8) Your Hand and Power woodworking tools , need colossal Attention . When you use your power machines , inside your wooden laboratory - warehouse and cut or give shape to your wooden furniture , project or whatever you are passionate about , your focus must be 1000% , in the work you do and NOWHERE else . Only the job you must do and complete . No distractions at all , from noone . Even if the World War 3 starts , you must not give a penny !!!!! The examples of cutting fingers and palm pieces from woodworkers all over the world are more than the sky's stars !!!!! Be extremely careful when you work with machines , power or not . When you work with your wood material and you want to make his surface smooth , by rubbing it either by rubbing it with your hand , or using the electric tool for it . Always wear a face mask with the appropriate filters for even the tiniest wood dust . You don't want in any case your lungs to be suffer by this powder -tiny dust molecules from wood , which after some time period , will cause you many serious respiratory problems , irreversible . I've seen retired wood workers after respiratory and nose surgeries , to "clean" their breath paths , so they can breath normally and i was terrified . The doctors and surgents have cut entire pieces from their faces , making their faces deformed , for ever . When you waork with power tools , you should never forget the factor of electricity and the dangers this hides , dangers that may cost even human lives , from electric shock accidents . No use of power tools above wet floor and try to avoid the cables to touch wet floor , when you're using them , no matter how good conditioned the cables are . Of course if the cables aren't in excellent condition and they have wear from time and usage , totally avoid the use of your woodworking power machinery . The use of the hand tools needs colossal attention by you of course and these sharp - edgy hand tools machinery , require the best attention from you and the several techniques , you use . The hand tools , cut , rub , sand , drill , shape , et.c , wood pieces and the correct techiques from you is needed and when you exploring new areas , proceed slowly and with 100% focus . 10) Be carefull with the Toxicity of the wood finishing - treatment materials , you use . The materials - products , you use for the finishing and protection of your woodcrafts , need attention from you and the toxicity is a serious issue , every carpenter should be aware of . The several chemicals for the wood bugs and fungi , the chemical paints( water based or not ) , the shellac , the resins , the oil mixtures ( natural , tropical or whatever ) , polishing factors , polyurethanes and all the range of the elements you use for your wood's treatment , need safety measures and attention . Protect your entire body from these factors , never swallow anything , never cover an open or close wound with these factors , be aware for allergies and if something will go wrong , seek help from doctors and hospitals . Follow the manufacturer's instructions and don't lower your safety "shields" , if you see a label which says : " no toxic , or totally natural " , or something like that . The 100% pure linseed oil is a totally natural oil for wood treatment , but this doesn't mean that you can eat it , in no way . See in HERE , why i'm a big fan of linseed oil for wood treatment . The eatable linseed oil supplement is a totally different oil . So be always very careful , concerning your health and your surroundings . Woodworking Safety Mentality : Summary . Your personal protection equipment ( PPE ) , the best possible physical condition , the total absence of alcohol and drugs , the 100% attention while using the hand and power tools , the attention when you use your woodworking techniques , the attention for toxicity when you use wood finishing products and your total mind focus , are basic safety mentality fo all the woodworkers , amateur or professionals . Keep Woodworking and be safe the same time .