Transcript Circular Saw Safety - School District of Rhinelander

Circular Saw Safety
Safety Presentation Outline
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Circular Saw Usage
Why is Safety an Issue?
Injury/Fatality Statistics
Accidents
OSHA Regulations
Safety Procedures and Policies
Circular Saw Usage in
Construction
• Circular Saws have many
applications on nearly
every construction project:
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Stud wall construction
Sheathing
Trim
Decking
Since they must be used, how can they be made safer?
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
The versatility of the circular saw also leads to its
unsafe applications
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
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.
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 amputation
source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7158079
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Circular Saw Safety