Serious accidents get the attention, but the injuries that actually fill emergency rooms are small and repetitive: a metal chip in the eye, a slice from a utility knife, ringing ears after an hour of cutting.
Eyes first
Wear safety glasses whenever a tool spins, a hammer swings, or a fastener snaps. Side protection matters more than lens darkness. Keep a spare pair on the bench so you never skip it because yours is in the truck.
Hearing
Anything you have to shout over is loud enough to damage hearing over time. Foam plugs are cheap and effective; muffs are easier to put on and off. Use both for extended cutting.
Gloves, with exceptions
Cut-resistant gloves for handling sheet metal, glass, and blades. Take them off for drill presses, lathes, and any machine with a rotating shaft — a glove that catches will pull your hand in.
Dust and fumes
Cutting MDF, sanding paint, or working in a closed garage means particles you cannot see. Use a dust extractor or open both doors, and wear at least an N95 for sanding. Solvents and finishes need ventilation, not just a mask.
The five-second check
Before every cut: glasses on, guard in place, workpiece clamped, cord or battery clear, and nobody's hand where the blade exits. It takes five seconds and prevents most of the injuries people describe as 'it happened so fast'.
Shop safety and workwear.