Safety First! What's your go-to PPE when using drills?

Hey folks, BuildItBob711 here. Just finished a big deck job and wanted to share a quick safety tip I swear by: ALWAYS wear safety glasses when drilling, even for 'quick' fixes. Saw a guy on site last week skip them for a 30-second anchor hole - metal shaving flew right into his eye. Ended up in the ER. Not worth the risk, ever. What's everyone else using for PPE with drills?

Great topic, Bob! As a safety inspector, I can't stress this enough. OSHA requires eye protection for a reason. Beyond glasses, I recommend hearing protection for extended use (especially hammer drills) and a dust mask if you're drilling masonry or MDF. Also, check your drill's chuck key is removed before powering on - seen too many 'wall decorations' from that mistake.

Totally agree with both of you. I'd add: no loose clothing or gloves that can get caught in the bit. Had a buddy's sleeve wrap around a spade bit once - tore his shirt and gave him a nasty burn. For PPE, I use DeWalt's goggles (they fit over my prescription glasses) and 3M earplugs. Stay safe out there!

Apprentice here, thanks for the tips! Quick question: my boss says I don't need gloves with a drill, but my hands get sweaty and the drill slips sometimes. Is there a safe glove type for better grip, or should I just use a towel to dry my hands?

Tim, good question! Avoid standard work gloves - they can catch and pull your hand in. Look for close-fitting, non-slip gloves (like Mechanix Wear) if you must, but ideally, improve your grip on the drill itself. Many drills have rubberized handles, and keeping hands dry is key. A towel is a smart move. Also, make sure you're using the side handle for control - it's there for a reason!