Basic DIY safety checklist before starting
A calm checklist for tools, materials, surroundings and limits before a job begins.
Materials & Know-How
Safety Basics
General DIY safety principles for tools, materials, dust, sharp edges, heat, electricity and working conditions.
What you’ll learn
These pages explain choice, properties, limitations, terminology and safety checks before you use a material, fixing or method in a practical job.
Guides
View all guidesEye, hand and dust protection basics
Beginner guidance on common protective equipment and when to use it.
Hidden cables, pipes and other drilling risks
Why drilling needs caution and what to check before making holes.
Temporary fixes and safety-critical repairs
How to tell a short-term hold from a repair that must be done properly.
When to stop and call a professional
Red flags that mean a job is beyond general DIY advice.
Working safely with heat, blades and sharp edges
Basic precautions for heat, cutting tools, burrs and sharp waste.
Glossary
View glossary
Dust mask
A mask intended to reduce breathing in certain dusts, depending on its rating and fit.
Eye protection
Safety glasses, goggles or face protection used to reduce eye injury risk.
Isolation
Making a system safe by disconnecting or shutting it off before work.
PPE
Personal protective equipment such as eye protection, gloves or dust masks.
Risk assessment
Thinking through what could go wrong before starting a job.
Safety-critical
A task where failure could injure someone or cause serious damage.
Trip hazard
Anything on the floor or route that could cause someone to trip.
Ventilation
Fresh-air movement that helps reduce fumes, vapour or dust build-up.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one material or fixing is always best.
- Ignoring surface condition, age, moisture, heat or movement.
- Guessing strength or load capacity instead of checking the exact product and situation.