Eye, ear and dust protection basics
Basic workshop protection means impact-rated safety glasses for anything that cuts, drills or hammers, ear plugs or muffs for power tools and mowers, and a well-fitted dust mask or respirator for sanding and cutting. Keep gloves away from spinning tools. If your home was built before 1978, have old paint tested for lead before you sand or scrape it.
About 10 minutes to learnEveryday skill
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How to do it
- Buy safety glasses marked as impact rated and wear them for drilling, hammering, cutting and yard work.
- Keep ear plugs or earmuffs by the power tools and the mower so wearing them is automatic.
- Use a fitted disposable respirator for sanding, drywall dust and sawdust, and press the nose clip to seal it.
- Wear work gloves for rough materials, but take them off near drills, saws and anything that spins.
- Test paint in homes built before 1978 for lead with a kit or a professional before sanding or scraping.
- Open windows and use a fan pulling air outside when you use paint, glue or solvents indoors.
- Replace scratched glasses and crushed masks rather than making do.
Common mistakes
- Wearing ordinary sunglasses and thinking they stop flying debris.
- Skipping ear protection because the job is only a few minutes long.
- Wearing loose gloves near a drill bit or saw blade, where they can be caught.
- Dry sanding old paint of unknown age.
Quick self-check
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Teach this to someone
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Teach: Eye, ear and dust protection basics
What to say
Basic workshop protection means impact-rated safety glasses for anything that cuts, drills or hammers, ear plugs or muffs for power tools and mowers, and a well-fitted dust mask or respirator for sanding and cutting. Keep gloves away from spinning tools. If your home was built before 1978, have old paint tested for lead before you sand or scrape it.
What to show, in order
- Buy safety glasses marked as impact rated and wear them for drilling, hammering, cutting and yard work.
- Keep ear plugs or earmuffs by the power tools and the mower so wearing them is automatic.
- Use a fitted disposable respirator for sanding, drywall dust and sawdust, and press the nose clip to seal it.
- Wear work gloves for rough materials, but take them off near drills, saws and anything that spins.
- Test paint in homes built before 1978 for lead with a kit or a professional before sanding or scraping.
- Open windows and use a fan pulling air outside when you use paint, glue or solvents indoors.
- Replace scratched glasses and crushed masks rather than making do.
The check question
Ask: When should you take gloves off?
Related skills
- Tools every man should own
- How to use a circular saw safely
- How to paint a room
- Every skill in The Toolbox
Words on this page
Sources
- National lead-safe renovation guidance for homeowners, current edition. Checked September 28, 2026.
Last reviewed . First published .