
Since many power tools involve sharp edges, quickly moving pieces, and heavy mechanics, they should be treated with caution and used only by those who have had experience working with the tool.
It is never recommended to use a power tool without wearing some form of personal protective equipment. Your hands, face, eyes, body, legs, and feet are all susceptible to harm should you drop or lose control of your power tool.
From chainsaws to staple guns, there are a lot of different tools out there – which means there are a lot of different ways you can hurt yourself. While our Tool Nerds team is passionate about different power tools, we would never want any of our readers to get hurt. This is why we wanted to take the time to cover a wide variety of safety options for you to wear when handling your favorite power tool.
For Your Hands
What Makes a Good Safety Glove?
Cut resistant. Should you accidentally drop your power saw on your hands, you want a pair of gloves that can take the hit without allowing the saw to slice through to your hands. Safety gloves are thick enough to prevent cuts without limiting the movement of your hands and fingers. They are typically made from leather or thicker cut-resistant materials.
- Our brand recommendation: EPICA CUT RESISTANT GLOVES
Weather resistant. Even when the weather is rough, you need to get out there and work. Having a pair of gloves that are not only damage-resistant, but weather resistant as well can save you a lot of pain. A good set of safety gloves will be able to retain heat in freezing temperatures, so that you aren’t subjected to hypothermia. Plus, they should be slip-proof, so that you can keep a steady grip on your tools even when it’s raining or snowing.
- Our brand recommendation: MEMPHIS CN9690M NINJA GLOVES
Snag proof. Nothing’s worse than getting your gloves caught on a hedge, a nail, or a dangerous part of your equipment. In order to handle your power tools safely, you’ll want to make sure that your work gloves are made from materials that won’t snag on anything. Typically, these kinds of gloves are made from nylon or terry cloth, which are not only flexible but also help you retain sensation at your fingertips.
- Our brand recommendation: IRONCLAD TOG2-04-L TAC-OPS GLOVE
For Your Head

What makes a functional piece of protective headgear?
Hearing protection. Let’s face it – most chainsaws and construction tools are extremely loud. Whether you need to use a circular saw, or you’re participating in a large construction project with a jackhammer, odds are you’re going to be hearing some pretty big noises. Electronic earmuffs are powerful pieces of safety gear that can protect your ears from getting damaged. Your hearing is sensitive, and having a piece of equipment that can protect your hearing will keep you from suffering adverse health effects in the long run.
- Our brand recommendation: HOWARD LEIGHT AMPLIFICATION ELECTRONIC EARMUFFS
Skull protection. There’s a reason construction workers are nicknamed “hard hats”. A hard hat is exactly the right kind of gear you need to protect all sides of your head from potential damage. You never know what an happen when you’re working outside, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A lock suspension hard hat will stay in place while you’re moving, and will be able to take the impact when an object falls onto your head.
- Our brand recommendation: PYRAMEX HARD HAT
Protecting your eyes is just as important as protecting your skull. If something dangerous were to fall into your eyes, you could risk losing your vision forever. A strong set of safety glasses should be durable enough to withstand force, but translucent enough to give you a full range of vision.
- Our brand recommendation: ENCON WRAPAROUND VERATTI 307 SAFETY GLASSES
For Your Body

What are good pieces of body protective gear?
High visibility safety vests. These vests are made from thick materials that will protect your chest and your vital organs from any type of damage, whether you accidentally get hit with a tool, or something falls on top of you. But not only will it protect your body, but its bright neon colors will keep you visible at all times. When working in a team, it’s important that you are aware of your friends and your surroundings. You want to make sure people can see you at all times.
- Our brand recommendation: NEIKO 53942A HIGH VISIBILITY SAFETY VEST
Durable safety jacket. This is similar to the vest in many ways, but it offers extra layers of support and heat retention for when you need to work in colder climates. The jacket is super thick, constructed from materials that are cut-proof and impact-ready. Not to mention these jackets also come with high visibility so that others can see you even in the dark.
- Our brand recommendation: PYRAMEX FLEECE BOMBER SAFETY JACKET
Knee pads. What? Aren’t knee pads for hockey players? Actually, knee pads are an essential part of safety equipment, especially if you’re going to be hunched down doing mechanical repairs or atop a tree with a chainsaw. Most power tool brands offer a pair of knee pads as a recommended product for use with a variety of different equipment.
- Our brand recommendation: DEWALT DG5204 PROFESSIONAL KNEEPADS
Safety is Always Essential!
Learning how to use a power tool is just the first step towards using it successfully. Having the necessary amount of safety gear at all times can help you stay protected when you’re handling such dangerous equipment. Remember to never take your knowledge or experience of a tool for granted; accidents can happen at any time. It’s better to stock up on protective gear than to suffer from a bloody injury due to the slip of a hand. Take heed of our recommendations and invest in some good pieces of gear before you start your next project!