TABLE SAW SAFETY RULES
i. Provide auxiliary workpiece support to the rear and/or sides of the saw table for long and/or wide
workpieces to keep them level. A long and/or wide workpiece has a tendency to pivot on the table’s edge, causing
loss of control, saw blade binding and kickback.
j. Feed workpiece at an even pace. Do not bend or twist the workpiece.
If jamming occurs, turn the tool off
immediately, unplug the tool then clear the jam. Jamming the saw blade by the workpiece can cause kickback or stall the
motor.
k.
Do not remove pieces of cut-off material while the saw is running.
The material may become trapped between
the fence or inside the saw blade guard and the saw blade pulling your fingers into the saw blade. Turn the saw off and
wait until the saw blade stops before removing material.
l. Use an auxiliary fence in contact with the table top when ripping workpieces less than 2mm thick. A thin
workpiece may wedge under the rip fence and create a kickback.
m. Never Cut Metals, Cement Board or Masonry. Certain man-made materials have special instructions for cutting on
table saws. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations at all times too avoid overheating the saw blade tips as well as
melting the plastic. Avoid overheating blade tips by pushing material through blade evenly. Forcing material to fast can
cause heating and damage to blade or workpiece. If cutting plastics is permitted, cut at a slower pace to avoid melting the
plastic.
3.
Kickback causes and related warnings
Kickback is a sudden reaction of the workpiece due to a pinched, jammed saw blade or misaligned line of cut in the workpiece
with respect to the saw blade or when a part of the workpiece binds between the saw blade and the rip fence or other fixed
object.
a.
Most frequently during kickback, the workpiece is lifted from the table by the rear portion of the saw blade and
is propelled towards the operator. Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions
and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.
b. Never stand directly in line with the saw blade. Always position your body on the same side of the saw blade as
the fence. Kickback may propel the workpiece at high velocity towards anyone standing in front and in line with the saw
blade.
c. Never reach over or in back of the saw blade to pull or to support the workpiece. Accidental contact with the
saw blade may occur or kickback may drag your fingers into the saw blade.
d.
Never hold and press the workpiece that is being cut off against the rotating saw blade.
Pressing the
workpiece being cut off against the saw blade will create a binding condition and kickback.
e. Align the fence to be parallel with the saw blade. A misaligned fence will pinch the workpiece against the saw blade
and create kickback.
f. Use a featherboard to guide the workpiece against the table and fence when making non-through cuts such
as rabbeting, or resawing cuts. A featherboard helps to control the workpiece in the event of a kickback.
g. Use extra caution when making a cut into blind areas of assembled workpieces. The protruding saw blade may
cut objects that can cause kickback.
h. Support large panels to minimise the risk of saw blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under
their own weight. Support(s) must be placed under all portions of the panel overhanging the table top.
i. Use extra caution when cutting a workpiece that is twisted, knotted, warped or does not have a straight
edge to guide it with a mitre gauge or along the fence. A warped, knotted, or twisted workpiece is unstable and
causes misalignment of the kerf with the saw blade, binding and kickback.
j. Never cut more than one workpiece, stacked vertically or horizontally. The saw blade could pick up one or more
pieces and cause kickback.
k. When restarting the saw with the saw blade in the workpiece, centre the saw blade in the kerf so that the
saw teeth are not engaged in the material. If the saw blade binds, it may lift up the workpiece and cause kickback
when the saw is restarted.
l.
Keep saw blades clean, sharp, and with sufficient set.
Never use warped saw blades or saw blades with cracked or
broken teeth. Sharp and properly set saw blades minimize binding, stalling and kickback.
4.
Table saw operating procedure warnings
a.
Turn off the table saw and disconnect the power cord when removing the table insert, changing the saw
blade or making adjustments to the riving knife, anti-kickback device or saw blade guard, and when the
machine is left unattended. Precautionary measures will avoid accidents.
b. Never leave the table saw running unattended.
Turn it off and don’t leave the tool until it comes to a complete stop.
An unattended running saw is an uncontrolled hazard.
c. Locate the table saw in a well-lit and level area where you can maintain good footing and balance. It should
be installed in an area that provides enough room to easily handle the size of your workpiece. Cramped, dark areas, and
uneven slippery floors invite accidents.
d.
Frequently clean and remove sawdust from under the saw table and/or the dust collection device.
Accumulated sawdust is combustible and may self-ignite.
e. The table saw must be secured. A table saw that is not properly secured may move or tip over.
f. Remove tools, wood scraps, etc. from the table before the table saw is turned on. Distraction or a potential jam
can be dangerous.
g. Always use saw blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) of arbor holes. Saw blades that
do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run off-center, causing loss of control.
h.
Never use damaged or incorrect saw blade mounting means such as flanges, saw blade washers, bolts or
nuts. These mounting means were specially designed for your saw, for safe operation and optimum performance.
i. Never stand on the table saw, do not use it as a stepping stool. Serious injury could occur if the tool is tipped or if
the cutting tool is accidentally contacted.
j. Make sure that the saw blade is installed to rotate in the proper direction. Do not use grinding wheels, wire
brushes, or abrasive wheels on a table saw. Improper saw blade installation or use of accessories not recommended may
cause serious injury.
k. DO NOT REMOVE A WORKPIECE
that is damaged or jammed without first turning off the saw and unplugging it from
the power source.
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