The Must Have Safety Gear for Every DIYer

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We talk about tools a lot, but a constant companion to any do-it-yourself project should be proper safety gear. It may not be as fun as tools, but these must-have items will protect your vision, hearing and lungs during any activity.

Eye Protection

You can make a case that eye protection should be used for almost every DIY project. From sanding to painting, to landscaping and building, it’s best to be over cautious when it comes to protecting your vision. Here’s a simple rule of thumb: wear eye protection during any activity that involves striking (i.e. hammer hitting a nail) or airborne particles (i.e. woodworking or yard work).

Protective glasses are extremely lightweight and inexpensive, so there is no excuse to not have multiple pairs available at all times. They are also available tinted for sun protection and provide better protection than regular sunglasses.

3M Tekk are lightweight and provide wraparound protection. They are available as clear and tinted. For over glasses protection, look for models like Law which provide protection but don’t compromise your vision.

Protective goggles provide the best protection. They fit snug onto your face and the elastic headband prevents them from slipping or falling off. They can also be used over eyeglasses. These models from UVEX and DeWalt have great reviews and are available for under $15.

Hearing Protection

From earplugs to earmuffs, any hearing protection is better than none. The orange foam earplugs are suitable in a pinch, but for everyday applications, invest in a pair of protective earmuffs that will offer the most protection and comfort.

A good pair of durable earmuffs will cost $15-$20. Avoid the style used by musicians which are light duty and not meant to be tossed into a toolbox. The 3M Peltor earmuff is cheap and has a noise reduction rating of 30db.

A great middle ground option between earplugs and earmuffs is the earband. They are earplugs connected to a pliable band that wraps around your neck. They are less obtrusive than earmuffs but more effective and reliable than earplugs. This model from Howard Leight is $7.

Air Respirator

When doing fine sanding, painting, or metal work, it’s advised to always use an air respirator, which will remove a large percentage of particulates from the air.

Air respirators do have one drawback, though: the heat they retain can be uncomfortable, especially on a hot and humid day. The 3M Particulate Respirator has a cool flow exhalation valve that allows hot air to escape from the mask. A step up is the 3M 6000 half facepiece respirator which uses two disposable filters that are easily replaced when full. It is NIOSH rated at P100 (the highest) which means the filters remove 99.97% of particulates from the air and is resistant to oil.

Stock up on safety gear during your next trip to the hardware store and get into the habit of using them for every project.

from http://bit.ly/1oAIGm1

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