The Best Personal Protective and Safety Equipment for Furniture Work
Furniture work is hazardous. No one likes to talk about it because it’s uncomfortable. No one likes to think their workspace is a hazmat zone. But furniture work has its risks. It is what it is.
Obviously, it’s unwise neurologically to inhale fumes from lacquer, polyurethane, and stain. But it’s also unwise to inhale most paint particles after their sanded and floating through the workshop as it’s loaded with silicone and can deposit in the lungs.
If you’re working with a new product, always read the label. If it smells bad, it’s probably bad for you. Grab yourself a respirator (linked below) and some gloves (linked below).
Lastly, a word on ventilation. If you work in a garage or workshop with a ventilation hood, good for you! For everyone else, always crack a window or open up the doors to your shop when you’re working. I like to set up a fan that blows most of the time I’m working, aimed toward the open door of my shop. This has helped immensely with the fumes.
Respirator and Cartridges
Buy: 3M Rugged Respirator
While working, I like to focus on the work, not the fumes. Buy a respirator. It’s worth it. I wear this one. Every. Single. Day. For. Almost. Everything. I. Do.
Buy: 3M Replacement Cartridges
Once I start smelling the fumes again, it’s time to replace the cartridges. Again. It’s worth it. I replace them every three-to-four months.
Gloves and Safety Glasses
Buy: Inspire Heavy-Duty Nitrile Gloves
I hate it when my hands smell like stain. That smell lingers. And lingers. And lingers. Prevention is the best treatment, again, because we’re dealing with harsh chemicals. Peace of mind = more presence while working.
Buy: Safety Glasses Over Specs
I spray poly, lacquer, and paint. I sand and saw wood. Often, I wear my every-day glasses while working. Often, I have taken wood chips and spray into my eyes. Safety glasses work better than glasses. If you don’t have glasses, you have no excuse.
Ear Plugs
Buy: AZEN 100 Pairs of Ear Plugs
“It’s just furniture work. Why do I need hearing protection?” I hear you. This was me for years. Then, one day, I tried ear plugs while running my orbital sander and felt I peace I hadn’t felt since when I met Eckhart Tolle. I’m kidding, sort of. It was a much more peaceful experience. I’d been wincing and didn’t even know it.
And yes, I did meet Eckhart Tolle once. That’s one calm dude.
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