part 2 must haves
Last but not least… First aid!
Photography Credit: J.G. Pasterjak
No workspace is complete without a basic first aid kit. To some folks that means brake clean to clean out the wound and duct tape to stop the bleeding. Practically everything you do in your shop can lead to injury, and even injuries can compound if not dealt with immediately. (side note brake clean will make ant bites heal faster, but it burns like hell)
Even if you only do the most basic mechanical tasks in your shop, you’re still dealing with sharp edges, hazardous chemicals and hard surfaces. You should have the ability to quickly deal with minor cuts, scrapes, punctures, burns and foreign object removal. Bonus points for eye wash, and double bonus points for dedicated spill containment. While a spill may not be an immediate first aid hazard, it can quickly turn into one if that spill is slippery, hot or toxic.
[So you've drilled through your own hand] it could be worse...it could be the 2nd time today and there were witnesses.
Also, don’t use your first aid supplies for anything but first aid. Sure, that medical tape can come in handy for your projects, but buy another roll for your toolbox instead of pilfering the stuff that needs to help keep your blood on the inside.
And restock those first aid supplies as soon as you use them. There’s nothing worse than rushing to your first aid kit for a bandage that isn’t there while you’re actively oozing....
but you do still have that stack of old shirts back there to keep the blood from dripping on the floor, don't you?