Circular Saw Safety

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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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Circular Saw Usage in Construction

• Circular Saws have many applications on nearly
  every construction project
• Stud wall construction
• Sheathing
• Trim
• Decking

Since they must be used, how can they be made
safer?
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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
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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 amputation source http//www.ncbi.nl
  m.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