PPE & dust checklist
A woodworking PPE checklist generator. Tell it what you're doing today and it returns the protection you actually need — respirator, eye, hearing, gloves, dust extraction. Less ambiguous than a generic "wear safety gear" list.
Checklist builder
The three things every woodworker needs
- Eye protection — safety glasses at minimum; full-face shield for chip-risk operations. Sawdust in the eye is the most common shop injury.
- Hearing protection — table saw and planer hit 100+ dB. Permanent hearing damage is cumulative. Earmuffs or foam plugs.
- Respiratory protection — wood dust is a carcinogen. N95 minimum for nuisance dust; P100 for sanding or sensitive species.
None of these are optional, and "just this once" is the wrong answer.
Why gloves are sometimes wrong
Gloves on rotating tools (lathe, drill press, table saw) are a real entanglement hazard. Bare hands are safer than gloved hands near spinning blades. Use gloves only for handling rough lumber, finished lumber with sharp edges, or chemicals — not while operating machinery.
Dust extraction is PPE
Dust collection at the source and an air filter in the room are PPE too — they reduce inhaled dose even when a respirator is in use. Two layers of protection beat one.
Limitations
- Doesn't replace OSHA / industry-specific safety guidance. Read your tool manuals.
- Doesn't fit a respirator to your face. A fitted respirator is a fitted respirator — get one that seals.
- Doesn't account for pre-existing conditions (asthma, allergies). Consult your doctor.
- Doesn't address fire safety, electrical safety or shop layout hazards.
Frequently asked questions
Are dust masks enough?
For occasional light work, an N95 disposable is OK. For regular woodworking or sensitive species, upgrade to a reusable elastomeric P100. The disposables leak around the edges; the reusable seals better and lasts longer.
My respirator fogs my glasses.
Two fixes: (1) get a respirator with an exhalation valve (directs breath away from glasses); (2) wash glasses with soapy water and let dry — leaves a film that resists fogging. Both work; combine for stubborn cases.
Are earplugs or earmuffs better?
Earmuffs give more consistent protection and are easier to put on / take off. Foam earplugs give better protection if inserted correctly but are easier to misuse. Either works; consistency matters more than choice.