Sources
The organisations whose guidance underpins the safety and legal points in our guides.
These are the sources we rely on most. They are official or standards-based and are the best places to check anything that matters for your own workshop.
Health and safety
- Health and Safety Executive: woodworking. Guidance on wood dust, machinery and safe working practices.
- Health and Safety Executive: noise. Exposure action values and hearing protection.
- Health and Safety Executive: respiratory protective equipment. Choosing and fitting masks and respirators.
- Health and Safety Executive: COSHH. Hazardous substances, including dusts and finishes.
- Health and Safety Executive: asbestos. Where it is found and why it must not be disturbed.
- Health and Safety Executive: electrical safety. Portable equipment, checks and maintenance.
Building regulations and planning
- GOV.UK: Approved Document P (electrical safety, dwellings) for England.
- Scottish Government: building standards.
- Planning Portal. Government-backed guidance on planning and building regulations in England and Wales, including outbuildings.
Standards referred to in our guides
- BS 7671, the UK requirements for electrical installations (the IET Wiring Regulations).
- EN 166, personal eye protection.
- EN 149, filtering half masks (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3).
- EN 60335-2-69, vacuum cleaners and dust extractors for hazardous dust (classes L, M and H).
Standards documents themselves are sold by standards bodies; we rely on their official summaries and on the regulators' guidance that refers to them.
Manufacturers' instructions
For specific tools, the manufacturer's manual is the authority on safe use, charging and maintenance. Where our general guidance and your tool's manual differ, follow the manual.
How we use these sources is described in how we research.