1. Research- Know what you are doing and check multiple sources to ensure the synth or reaction you are trying to perform is: Acurate, reliable, safe and actually exists. When using a chemical you have not used previously check for a material safety data sheet (MSDS), they're easy to find online.

2. Gear/Equipment- When handling explosives or any chemical for that matter there are several safety devices that are absolutly essential:
-Flame retardent clothing, Most importantly a top/shirt.
-Gloves. These will vary depending on what materials you are handling, When reading an MSDS always check to see if glove types are specified- For example you do not want to be wearing a cheap pair of latex gloves if you happen to spill Sulfuric Acid on yourself.
Goggles/Eye protection. This is an absolute must for any application involving any explosives or chemicals. Your eyes are very easy to damage and very hard to repair so thats fairly self explanatory.
Masks/Respirators. When mixing up some humble BP or thermite yo should really be wearing a dust mask so as to prevent the inhalation of any small particles. As for anything that produces fumes it is highly recomended that your wear at least a spray painters half mask if not a fully NBC rated gas mask, fumes from strong acids can severely damage your respiratory system.
Fire Extinguisher/Blanket You can all figure that one out.
There are other items out there that will enhance your safety but those are the essential.

3. Environment- Make sure your work environment is clean and clear of unnescessary clutter, this will make your work more productive and there will be less chance of spillages and breakages. Make sure it is well ventilated but do not use an exhaust fan, if possible a fume hood is an excellent tool to use. Ensure you have adaquate lighting and good visibility. One final concern is actual location, It is far safer to perform any synth or reaction away from your house or valued possessions as fire spreads quickly.

4. Pre-Preparation and Storage- Make sure to double check each MSDS to be absolutly certain of the storage procedure of each material. Measure out materials before you perform a reaction to increase productivity and remove unnescessary reactants from the work area as this increases hazard risks. Avoid storing any explosive materials, try to make them as you use them.

5. Tools- make sure you are using each tool for it's intended purpose, or if you are improvising then make sure it's accecptable e.g. makeshift ball mill with a power drill and plastic jar. Electronic thermometers and scales are highly recomended as well.

6. Detonation/Ignition- Just be far away enough and don't do it in your garage. Never place potential shrapnel between yourself and your explosive, thats just common sense.

7. Nuetralisation- When working with acidic or basic materials it's always a good idea to have a saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution on hand to nuetralise spills. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used because it can nuetralissse both acids and bases and will do so mildly to avoid amassive exothermic reaction

If I drastically missed anything just say so, but don't bother posting something if I have alreasy covered it.

i was going to make a new topic about this, but i figured since this is the safety thread, i could do it here (if not delete it please). but; does thermite emit any harmful rays? or if not, is it in any way damaging to eyes due to brightness? if so, would sunglasses work, or should i used a tinted welding mask or something?

The only thing thermite will emit is heat, lots of heat. I'm sure if your close enough some of that heat may give you some burns or damage your eyes. Just stand back and don't stare at it.

i also heard that thermite emits uv rays, similar to an arc welder

thats why i asked. but thinking about it, the arc welder emits UV rays due to the big fucking electrical arc, while thermite doesnt have any electrical arc, however i thought maybe the brightness could be a problem.

thanks Numerator

almost all the sources i have read on how to make thermite say that it emits large amounts of uv rays so eye and skin protection should be worn

Yeah, thermite will sizzle your retinas real quick without welding goggles.

Fucking ghost.....
Fuck.
Fucker.

thanks ghost.

yah thanks