Circular Saw Safety

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Circular Saw Safety
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Circular Saw

• Circular saw is a power saw that uses a spinning
  disk-shaped blade, which often has a toothed edge

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Circular Saws

• There are many types of circular saws

Miter saws (or Chop saw) Radial arm
saws Saw mills Table saws Panel
saws Biscuit joiners Pendulum saw
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Circular Saws

• Should be considered extremely dangerous
• There are many different safety issues associated
  with circular saws
• Especially portable and cordless models

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Circular Saws

• Could cause extreme body damage like loss of
  fingers or limbs, even fatality
• Workers must be extremely careful
• One small slip up could cause a really bad
  accident
• Proper safety precautions are necessary

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Statistics

• Data from a 2001 Consumer Products Safety
  Commission study on stationary circular saws
  show
• Of 52,000 injuries
• Lacerations 68
• Amputation 9
• Fractures 9
• Avulsions 8
• 83 of injuries were to the fingers

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Statistics (cont.)

• A large majority of the injuries were caused by
  contact with the blade
• The rest were caused by being struck with the
  cutting material or debris
• Only 5 required hospitalization
• Only 3 required an overnight stay
• Study did not include portable circular saws

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Injury Reports

• A worker was ripping wood into long lengths using
  a portable saw
• As he cut up the wood, he placed his left hand
  behind the saw to grip the wood he just cut
• This caused the wood to close in on the blade and
  the saw kicked backward (since it rotates
  clockwise) and cut his thumb off

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Cords

• A worker was nailing and trimming particle board
  on an 8/12 pitch roof of a house under
  construction.
• He slid off the roof falling 30 head first onto
  a piece of 2x4" debris.
• He appeared to slide off the roof feet first with
  the electrical cord from the a circular saw
  wrapped around his right leg.
• The cord was caught between the joist material,
  went taught, flipping the victim head first onto
  the wooden debris on the ground.
• He was pronounced dead at the scene

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OHSA Regulations

• 1926.304(a)
• All fixed power driven woodworking tools shall be
  provided with a disconnect switch that can either
  be locked or tagged in the off position.
• 1926.304(b) Speeds
• The operating speed shall be etched or otherwise
  permanently marked on all circular saws over 20
  inches in diameter or operating at over 10,000
  peripheral feet per minute.
• 1926.304(d) Guarding
• All portable, power driven circular saws shall be
  equipped with guards above and below the base
  plate or shoe. When the tool is withdrawn from
  the work, the lower guard shall automatically and
  instantly return to the covering position.

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OSHA Regulations

• 1926.304(e)
• Personal protective equipment. All personal
  protective equipment provided for use shall
  conform to Subpart E of this part.
• 910.213(a)(6)
• Circular saw fences shall be so constructed that
  they can be firmly secured to the table or table
  assembly without changing their alignment with
  the saw.

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Safety Precautions

• Wear Eye Protection
• Wear Hand Protection
• Wear Ear Protection
• Wear Dust Masks
• Make sure you are operating in a safe area out of
  the way
• Be careful of the cords!

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Proper Safe Procedure

• Make sure you are using the correct blade and
  that it's properly tightened. Always use a sharp
  blade. Dull blades bind and overheat.
• Check the blade guard
• Set the depth of the blade properly to avoid
  kickback
• Support the work on both sides. Clamp it on one
  side if you have to.

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Safe Operation (cont.)

• Look for knots and nails before you begin. Be
  cautious when approaching them.
• Start the blade before it meets the work.
• Stand to the side when you saw in case the wood
  is kicked back, and don't over-reach.
• Let go of the trigger if the blade binds, and
  stick a wooden shim in the cut to release it.

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End Circular Saw Safety

• Watch your fingers!