5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Workshop

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Create Storage and Organization Solutions

One of the simplest ways to make sure that you start the New Year off on the right foot in your workshop is to create better systems for storing and organizing your tools and materials. While a messy workshop can sometimes just be a sign of someone hard at work, it can also be a barrier that prevents you from getting started on whatever project you want to tackle next. Keeping things clean and organized serves as a great motivator and creates a productive environment to get work done.

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Get On Top of Tool Maintenance

If it’s been a while since you last thought about deep-cleaning your tools, chances are you’ve got some residual gunk to clean up. Performing less-common maintenance tasks (like cleaning the rust off of tools) at the beginning of the year will ensure that you have all of your tools at your disposal when the need arises. Go through your workshop and make sure that all of your tools are not damaged and in working condition. It’s also a good idea to create a regular tool maintenance schedule so that you’re not stuck repeating this step a year from now.

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Challenge Yourself to Complete One Project a Month

Want to really get stuff done in the New Year? Set some goals. Go through your calendar and pick out at least one workshop project that you want to get done each month. Setting that basic goal will make sure that you are in your workshop regularly, and more inspiration will come with each project you check off of the list.

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Remember Safety Checks

When you get in the habit of regularly using hand and power tools, it can be easy to forget that in many cases these tools can be dangerous. It’s important to remind yourself to follow safe and proper procedures when using your tools, so that you make it through the upcoming year with all of your fingers intact.

Here are five basic safety rules that OSHA recommends anyone using hand and power tools follow:

• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Examine each tool for damage before use, and do not use damaged tools.
• Operate tools according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
• Provide and use properly the right personal protective equipment.

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Stock Up on Safety Gear

The beginning of the year is a great time to replenish your stores of personal protective equipment like earplugs and safety glasses. Making sure you always have PPE on hand is a great way to keep yourself from falling out of the habit of actually using safety equipment. Put your PPE in a highly visible location, so that it’s harder to forget to use it when the time comes.

Up next, check out new year resolution ideas.