The principal hazards of woodworking can be classified as either safety or health hazards. Safety hazards can cause immediate injury to a worker. For example, if a worker's hands were to contact a saw blade, he or she could have one or more fingers cut off. Health hazards are associated with long-term exposure to certain substances or to excessive noise levels or vibrations. Certain types of wood dust, for example, can cause allergic reactions. Health hazards can cause both immediate (acute) and longer-term (chronic) health effects.

Safety Hazards:

• Fire and Explosion
• Electrical
• Forklifts/Pallet Jacks
• Machine Hazards
  • – Point of Operation
  • – Rotary and Reciprocating Movements
  • – Nip Points (pinch points)
  • – Kickbacks
  • – Flying Chips/Material
  • – Tool Projection

Health Hazards:

• Noise
• Vibration
• Wood Dust - Carcinogens
• Chemical Hazards - from exposure to coatings, finishings, adhesives, solvent vapors