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Circular Saw Safety
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Safety Presentation Outline
• Circular Saw Usage
• Why is Safety an Issue?
• Injury/Fatality Statistics
• Accidents
• OSHA Regulations
• Safety Procedures and Policies
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Since they must be used, how can they be made safer?
Circular Saw Usage in Construction
• Circular Saws have many applications on nearly every construction project:– Stud wall construction– Sheathing– Trim– Decking
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The versatility of the circular saw also leads to its unsafe applications
The Issue of Safety
Circular saw safety is a major concern because of its widespread usage:
•Often used by unskilled operators (homeowners)•Regularly used for non-conventional cuts•Commonly used on unstable and uneven surfaces
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Unsafe Practices
• Most injuries result from careless practices
• Operators commonly lose control of the saw if it gets in a “bind” or when “kickbacks” occur
• Fingers, hands, and other limbs are most common injuries
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Injury Statistics• A study conducted by the Health and Safety
Executive's Woodworking National Interest Group showed:– Of 1,000 wood-working machine accidents, 35%
involved circular saws– The majority resulted in the loss or partial loss of
fingers– 83% of these incidents resulted from “ripping”
or “cross-cutting”– In most cases, saw guard was either altered or
missing altogether.
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Statistics (continued)
• A study evaluating 226 circular saw injury reports showed:– There was no quantitative difference between
right and left hand injuries– Out of the 226 reported injuries, 125 were single
finger injuries– Only a few of the 3-5 finger injuries resulted in
complete amputationsource:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7158079
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Circular Saw Accidents
• Most circular saw fatalities do not result from the operator being struck by the blade
• Typically, fatalities result from the unsafe positions workers place themselves in when operating a circular saw
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Specific Fatalities
• In 1999, a worker attempting to trim the roof sheathing with a circular saw lost balance
• The worker was using no fall protection on an 8/12 roof
• The worker became entangled in the electrical cord and fell 36 feet to his death
• A good example of how the saw did not cause the fatality, rather, the unsafe conditions in which the saw was being operated resulted in death
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Specific Fatalities• A homeowner presumed to be
cutting from the top of an extension ladder with a circular saw
• The worker lost his balance and fell to his death after receiving a large laceration on his leg from the circular saw
• Assumed to have bled to death after being knocked unconscious upon impact
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Specific Injuries
• An individual propped the blade guard open when operating saw
• After completing the cut, struck his thigh since the guard was open making the blade unprotected
• The cut was six inches long and one inch deep
• Took 50 stitches to seal the wound
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Applicable OSHA Regulations
• 1926.304(b) Speeds– For circular saws over 20 in. or
over 10,000 peripheral feet per minute, the operating speed must be clearly etched on side of saw
• 1926.302(a)(2)– The use of electric cords
should not be used for hoisting hand tools
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Applicable OSHA Regulations• 1926.304(e) Personal Protective
Equipment– Personal protective equipment
shall conform to subpart E of this section
• 1926.304(d) Guarding– All power driven circular saws must have
guards above and below baseplate– The guard must automatically release back
into place after cut is complete
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Safety Procedures
• When using a circular saw, the operator should always wear safety goggles, ear protection, and a mask (when necessary)
• In no circumstances should the safety guard be removed or propped open
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Safety Procedures
• Whenever possible, objects being cut should be laid flat and stabilized by clamps or other worker when it is practical
• Never attempt to hold a piece of wood in the air while cutting with the other hand
• Saw operator should always be mindful of surrounding persons and conditions
• Use two hands to operate saw whenever possible
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Safety Procedures• Adjust blade depth based on
thickness of material• Ensure correct blade is
being used (based on material being cut) and the blade tightness has been checked
• Always begin operating blade before making contact with material to be cut
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Circular Saw Safety