Woodworking is supposed to be a fun hobby. It isn't any fun making a trip to the emergency room, however. If you want to start woodworking, there are some things that you should keep in mind to keep yourself safe. Remember that you'll be working with sharp tools, and there will likely be particles of sawdust and wood flying around, as well as fumes from paints and varnishes.
One of the most important safety rules in the shop, is to wear eye protection. Any time that you are using power tools, or chiseling or scraping wood, sawdust particles and wood shavings can fly around. A pair of safety glasses can keep those particles out of your eyes. For some power tools, a full face shield may be a better choice, especially if there is a lot of sawdust produced. Safety glasses and goggles are not expensive, and they may prevent you from losing an eye.
Some power tools are extremely noisy, and could cause hearing damage. You should also invest in hearing protection to protect your ears.
If you have long hair, be sure to tie it back so that it cannot get caught in tools when you are using them. Likewise be careful of loose clothing and jewelry. Roll up your sleeves and remove any jewelry that may get caught in machinery. If you have small children, it would be a very good idea to keep tools out of their reach.
Check your tools before using them. If the handles are loose, repair them first, or discard the tool. Make sure that the blades are sharp. Dull blades take a lot more force to use, and can cause serious injury.
Be sure that you read the manuals for your power tools, and that you fully understand how to safely operate them. Take the time to learn how to properly set up any safety equipment, such as safety guards, feather boards, push sticks and guides. Learn how to properly align and set up the rip fence on the saw, so that boards won't get stuck, and possibly kick back into your face. Let your power tools stop running when you're done. Don't assume that because the power is off, the tool is safe. A spinning blade, even without power can cause severe injury.
Pay attention to what you're doing. If you're cutting wood on a table saw, you're attention needs to be on where your hands are and where the blade is. Wait until you're done cutting to take your eyes off of the blade. You should be rested and alert when using power tools. Do not work with them if you're tired. And you definitely should not be working with power tools after drinking. Wait until you're done for the day to relax with a beer.
Keep your shop clean. Be sure to sweep up frequently, so that you don't trip or slip on anything. Make sure that your shop is well ventilated. Paint and solvent fumes can cause health hazards, so you'll wnat to make sure your shop has plenty of fresh air. Put your tools away when you're done using them, you don't want that utility knife to be knocked off the bench and puncture your foot. If you have extension cords running across the floor, be aware of their location so that you don't trip.
Woodworking can be fun and safe. You just need to make sure that you take some precautions to keep it safe.