How I Almost Lost My Toe to a Falling Chisel: A Woodworker's Safety Lesson

It was a typical Saturday in the workshop, and I was fully immersed in building a custom bookshelf for my study. Sawdust floated in the air like a gentle snowfall, and my DeWalt table saw was humming along, slicing through wood with satisfying precision. Everything was going according to plan—until I reached for my favorite chisel.

Now, any woodworker will tell you that a good chisel is worth its weight in gold, and mine was a razor-sharp beast that could slice through wood like butter. I’d just set it down on the edge of the workbench, not really thinking about how precarious it was perched. I turned to grab a different tool, and that’s when it happened. I heard a small scrape and then a faint whoosh as it slid off the bench, almost in slow motion.

I looked down in time to see the chisel tumbling end over end, headed straight for my exposed foot. Panic shot through me like a jolt of electricity, and in that split second, I thought about every safety rule I had ever ignored: the steel-toed boots I hadn’t bothered to put on, the cluttered bench, the simple fact that I should’ve set the chisel down in a safe spot. But none of those thoughts would stop gravity from having its way.

Out of reflex, I jerked my foot back, and the chisel missed my toe by a hair’s breadth. It landed point-down in the floor, burying itself in the wood with a sharp thunk. I could feel the wind from that chisel as it sliced past my toe—a close call if there ever was one.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I bent down to retrieve the chisel, all while picturing what could’ve happened. This wasn’t just about a painful injury; that chisel was sharp enough that one wrong move could have taken a chunk of my toe with it. The rest of the day was a blur, but one thing stuck with me—how easily I could’ve avoided the entire situation.

Lesson Learned: Safety Always Comes First

That near-miss with the chisel was a wake-up call. I realized I’d been getting complacent, taking shortcuts that could easily lead to serious injuries. It reminded me that safety isn’t just about following rules for the sake of it; it’s about respecting the tools we work with and understanding that a single moment of carelessness can have real, painful consequences.

Here’s what I did the next day:

1. Set Up a Safe Storage System: I installed magnetic tool holders on the wall to keep all my sharp tools—chisels, blades, and bits—securely stored when not in use. No more tools teetering on the edge of my workbench!

2. Invested in Safety Gear: I finally bought a pair of steel-toed boots and committed to wearing them every time I’m in the workshop. A pair of durable gloves and a thick apron were added to my safety arsenal too.

3. Rearranged the Workspace for Organization: A cluttered workspace can lead to accidents, plain and simple. I spent the entire next weekend organizing my tools and setting up designated spots for everything. It took time, but now I know exactly where each tool belongs—and I’m more mindful about returning each one to its place.

4. Implemented a “Safety Check” Routine: Now, before every session in the workshop, I take five minutes to do a quick safety check. Are my tools stored properly? Is my safety gear on? Are the floors clear of clutter? It might seem excessive, but those five minutes are worth it if they prevent another close call.

A Message to Fellow Woodworkers: Don’t Skip Safety

I used to think I was being careful enough, but that falling chisel taught me a valuable lesson. I’m lucky my toe is still attached, but not everyone gets a second chance when it comes to workshop accidents. As woodworkers, we work with incredibly powerful, sharp tools—whether it’s a chisel, a saw, or a planer. The smallest oversight can lead to a painful injury or worse.

So if you’re reading this, take it from someone who got a hard reminder the easy way: don’t cut corners on safety. Treat your tools with respect, organize your space, wear your gear, and always—always—put safety first. You never know when a moment of mindfulness could be the difference between a productive day in the shop and an emergency room visit.

Stay Safe,

Nailed It Team

Recommended articles: