What are the hazards of using a skill saw?
The majority of injuries from power saws are hand and finger injuries or eye injuries. Hand and finger injuries caused by saws are predominantly lacerations with some fractures and amputations, while eye injuries are primarily attributed to foreign bodies.
Hazard identification | |
---|---|
1 | Cutting, laceration |
2 | Crushing from transmission driven or associated equipment |
3 | Object being 'thrown' by the saw |
4 | Manual handling |
The majority of injuries from power saws are hand and finger injuries or eye injuries. Hand and finger injuries caused by saws are predominantly lacerations with some fractures and amputations, while eye injuries are primarily attributed to foreign bodies.
Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles). Wear an approved respirator or dust mask when exposed to harmful or nuisance dusts. Use appropriate hearing protection equipment in noisy areas. Check the retracting lower blade guard to make certain it works freely.
There are many types of hazards - chemical, ergonomic, physical, and psychosocial, to name a few - which can cause harm or adverse effects in the workplace.
Fingers and hands are the most frequently injured body part and lacerations are the most common injury.
Kickback is the #1 reason for table saw accidents and injuries. The reason is that kickback often includes a subsequent action that draws your hand towards the blade when working up close with the saw. Many seasoned Pros like to ditch the table saw blade guard and anti-kickback pawls.
One of the most common causes of saw accidents are hand and finger injuries involving the blade of a power saw, usually a table or circular saw. These types of accidents are generally the result of a lack of safety guards which protect the user from the spinning blade.
- Possible skin irritation from coolants.
- Eye injuries.
- Sharp edges and burrs, metal splinters.
- Noise.
Use gloves and appropriate safety footwear when using electric tools. Store electric tools in a dry place when not in use. Do not use electric tools in damp or wet locations unless the y are approved for that purpose. Keep work areas well lighted when operating electric tools.
What are the 10 basic guidelines for tools safety?
- Inspect regularly. Regularly inspect your tools to make sure that they are in good condition.
- Wear gloves. ...
- Carry with care. ...
- Don't pocket sharp objects. ...
- Be aware of your surroundings. ...
- Use the right tools. ...
- Follow instructions. ...
- Clean and return.
Some industries naturally carry more risks, but we have outlined the top 10 most common workplace hazards that pose a threat: Hazardous chemicals, which include the following: acids, caustic substances, disinfectants, glues, heavy metals (mercury, lead, aluminium), paint, pesticides, petroleum products, and solvents.

physical - radiation, magnetic fields, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, etc., psychosocial - stress, violence, etc., safety - slipping/tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.
A hazard is the potential for harm (physical or mental). In practical terms, a hazard often is associated with a condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury or illness. Identifying hazards and eliminating or controlling them as early as possible will help prevent injuries and illnesses.
Be sure that examples of the most common struck-by hazards (flying, falling, swinging and rolling) are covered.
Workplace hazards fall into six core types – safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical and workload.
- Burns: When removing a cast with a cast saw, it is important to be aware of the potential for skin burns. ...
- Lacerations: The teeth of the cast saw blade can be sharp enough to scratch the skin.
Common Woodworking Injuries
Limb or finger amputations: The most frequently reported amputations include hands and fingertips. Cuts or lacerations: A laceration or cut, if deep, could injure muscles, tendons or even cause nerve damage that could lead to long-term consequences.
The Western saws we use don't cut on the pull-stroke, so you are cutting on the push-stroke and only using the pull-stroke to retrieve the saw ready for the next stroke.
In the context of the general population of 310 million Americans, about one in 9,000 will go to the emergency room in any given year after tangling with their table saw, one in 80,000 will have a medical report that lists the word “amputation” and one in 160,000 will lose one or more fingers or a thumb.
What woodworking tool has the most accidents?
1. Table Saw. Partially because they're everywhere, partially because there are so many ways to use them, a table saw likely accounts for more serious woodworking accidents that any other machine or tool.
Kickback is the most common and poses the greatest hazard. Kickback occurs when the rotating chain is stopped suddenly by contact with a more solid area throwing the saw rapidly backward toward the operator. The cause of most injuries can be traced to improper use of the saw or poor judgment on part of the operator.
- Distracted Driving. Undoubtedly, distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents. ...
- Speeding. ...
- Drunk Driving. ...
- Reckless Driving. ...
- Inclement Weather. ...
- Running Intersections. ...
- Teenagers. ...
- Night Driving.
Hazards can have social, economic and environmental impacts on society.
During cutting operation, cutting tools get very hot. Touching the tools immediately after operation may cause burn. Please use safety items, such as safety glasses and protective gloves.
Guards must cover as much of the blade as possible and cross-cut saws should now either be fitted with a brake or a device to pull back the cutting head, locating the blade within a safe protected area. This can be spring loaded or a pulley system with weights. Guards must cover as much of the blade as possible.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that saw operators wear head protection, eye protection, hearing protection, chainsaw chaps or pants, and suitable footwear.
Hearing protection may be required due to the extreme noise levels generated, especially during extended use. A respirator or dust mask may be required, depending on the material being cut. Do not wear loose clothing, long-sleeves, or gloves while operating a circular saw.
Safety Rules
Never adjust saw or setup while saw is running. Never cross arms. Always follow 4 inch rule. Never push on back of piece with fingers or thumb.
Along with common injuries such as cuts, lacerations, and bruises, the frequent and prolonged use of hand tools can cause soreness, aches, pains, and fatigue, which, when ignored, can lead to chronic musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) of various kinds.
What are cutting hazards?
Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers.
- • KEEP WORK AREAS CLEAN. Cluttered benches invite accidents. • AVOID DANGEROUS ENVIORONMENTS. ...
- • GUARD AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK. Prevent body contact with. grounded surfaces. ...
- • AVOID ACCIDENTAL STARTING. Don't carry plugged in tool with finger on switch.
Employees who use hand and power tools are exposed but not limited to the following hazards: falling, flying objects, abrasions, splashing objects, harmful dusts or fumes, mists, vapors and gases. Workers shall be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to eliminate exposures.
A circular saw can quickly cut through wood or metal, and it can just as quickly cut through flesh and bone. Yikes! Power tools create hazards such as noise, vibration, electrical, moving parts and projectiles. They have the power to cause severe and even fatal injury if used incorrectly.
1910.242 - Hand and portable powered tools and equipment, general.
- 1: Reserve a Specific Area Where Workers Use Hand Tools. ...
- 2: Keep PPE and Hand Tools in Good Working Order. ...
- 3: Provide Appropriate PPE. ...
- 4: Choose the Safest Tools. ...
- 5: Regularly Teach Proper Hand Tool Safety. ...
- It's Easy to Stay Safe.
- Use Personal Protective Equipment. ...
- Dress Right. ...
- Educate Yourself. ...
- Regularly Inspect Your Tools. ...
- Keep Your Work Area Clean. ...
- Be Extra Cautious With Power Tools. ...
- Turn the Tools Off After Use. ...
- Use Proper Lighting.
Employees who use hand and power tools and are exposed to the hazards of falling, flying, abrasive, and splashing objects, or to harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, or gases must be provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment.
Most table saw accidents happen on cross-cuts when you fail to stay on one side of the cut and your arm goes over the top of the blade. You want both hands supporting the material around the miter gauge. Then, when you slide it forward, you keep both hands safely to one side of the blade.