Workshp Safety: Tips for Lighting Your Workshop

Adequate lighting in a workshop is essential to operating any kind of power tools and some hand tools in a safe manner. Some workshop power tools, such as a band saw or a scroll saw may have specialty lamps that clamp on the tool and make it easy to direct the necessary light where needed. Following is some additional tips for adding light easily, making it easier to work in your shop.

The first thing that I have always done is to paint the walls and ceiling white. This allows all light to reflect freely throughout the shop with very little extra lighting needed. This may not always be the best choice, such as in an unfinished basement where limestone may be part of the foundation. However, one can still paint the ceiling (or rafters and under-flooring of the first floor) in order for light to reflect off and disperse throughout the workshop area. Another idea to consider is to buy some inexpensive white vinyl sheets, such as a shower enclosure kit and then tack them next to the foundation walls from the rafters overhead.

Floor lamps work great in that they are portable. You can use the kind that shines light directly in the area that you need, or you can use the kind that aims its light towards the ceiling so that you will be using indirect lighting. You can also get the kind that has the light source flexible, also known as gooseneck. A word of caution: do not get in the habit of running extension cords on the floor space where you walk. This can create accidents, such as tripping, an electrical over-load, or fire.

If you find yourself needing light in one particular area, such as overhead of a table saw or radial arm saw, then you may want to consider installing an overhead light fixture. Generally, you can find fluorescent light fixtures at a home lumber store, and they are easy to install. Even if you do not hardwire the fixture into your electrical system, you can cut the female end of a six or eight foot extension cord and splice it into the light fixture lighting. You should only do this if the lumber supply store does not already sell the kind that plugs directly into the wall.

If you do not know how to do this, you will need to take your fixture and cord to a licensed electrician so that you do not create a fire or shock hazard in your shop. Then you can plug the light into the same outlet box that the table or radial arm saw is plugged into. If you find yourself overloading your circuits, you may want to use a power strip that will set off if you overload the strip. In addition, a power strip that is power surge protection equipped will prevent damage to your power tools in the event of a power surge.

If you take the time and spend a little money, you will enjoy the rewards of having a workshop that is well lit and is a safe to work. A properly lighted workshop will reduce strain to your eyes and will save you money in resources. You will be able to see what you are doing better, and you will be able to work more accurately.