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Safety & Handling Notice
At Designs of Distinction™ by Brown Wood, Inc.®, we are committed to delivering high-quality components and materials. Our products are designed to meet reasonable safety standards when handled with care and proper preparation.
Whether you’re assembling, installing, or finishing an item, always follow included instructions and use basic safety practices. Personal protective equipment (PPE)—such as gloves, goggles, dust masks, and hearing protection—should be used when cutting, drilling, sanding, or applying finishes.
Improper handling or failure to follow instructions may result in injury or product damage.
Wood Products
Most of our hardwood products (e.g., columns, corbels, mouldings, legs, tambour) are sold unfinished. These may include splinters or loose fibers. Activities like sanding, cutting, or finishing generate dust and debris—use PPE and proper ventilation.
Finished wood with clear-coat or other finishes should be treated the same, with added care during sanding or thinning, as finishes may release chemical particles. Avoid inhalation or ingestion.
- Wood Dust – OSHA
- Sanding Safety – Purdue University
- Splinter Removal – Popular Woodworking
- Eye Safety – Mayo Clinic
⚠ California Proposition 65 Warning: Drilling, sawing, sanding, or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Use PPE and avoid inhaling dust. Learn more at www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood.
Metal Products
Our metal items—such as shelving, trim, feet, rails, and grilles—are made from brass, aluminum, or steel:
- Brass may contain fine dust or shavings and can be sharp when cut.
- Aluminum (sometimes anodized or coated) may release debris when worked.
- Steel grilles and mesh may buckle or create sharp fragments during handling or cutting.
Always use PPE and make sure you’re familiar with your tools and procedures.
- Metal Cutting Safety – Metals4U
- Powder Coating Safety – TCI Powder
- Treating Metal Wounds – Mayo Clinic
Other Materials
- Rattan is natural but may have surface residue—clean before use.
- Resin can release airborne particles when cut—use a dust mask and goggles.
- Leather may shed when trimmed—handle with care.
- Glue & Tape may contain chemicals—follow included directions and dispose of properly.
Use all products in a ventilated area and wear PPE suited to the task.
Recommended PPE (via Zoro Tools)
These are general-use items and do not guarantee safety:
Final Reminder
Review all instructions before beginning any project, and only use tools and materials you are comfortable and familiar with. Your safety starts with preparation—use all products responsibly.
