Get a group of wood flooring contractors and carpenters together, and sooner or later an assortment of table saw horror stories abound. When it's the contractor versus the saw blade, the blade too often wins—sometimes at the expense of fingers, eyes or even worse. These horrible encounters with the table saw don't have to be a rite of passage for those who use this device to make a living. With simple precautions and safe procedures, you can safely work your trade without suffering serious injury. While many view these precautions as unnecessary or too time consuming, it takes only a minor slip-up to cause serious harm. Here are a few simple steps you and your workers can take to make sure you are not the next victim of a table saw mishap.
Necessary tools and supplies:
- Push stick
- Eye protection
- Ear protection
- Saw blade in good condition
- Vacuum
- Gloves, dust mask (optional)
Step 1:
Always wear proper ear protection and eye protection. Those around you also should take this precaution.
Step 2:
Correctly position the blade and the material you're cutting. No matter the thickness, the blade should be only 1/8 to 3/16 inch above the material.
Step 3:
Before you make a cut, make sure the blade is in good condition— it should be sharp and have all of its teeth. A blade that burns through the wood rather than cutting through it can lead to a dangerous situation. Also, check that it doesn't wobble when it spins.
Step 4:
Keep your fingers as far away from the blade as possible. Use a push stick or similar device, especially when cutting a narrow board.
DON'T:
... risk losing a digit by putting your fingers in the blade's way. Never push the board through with your fingers when approaching the blade.
Step 5:
Always keep both hands behind the blade.
DON'T:
... reach across the blade to pull the board through or lower the board down with your hand to make a cut in the middle of a board. One kick of the board could pull your hand right into the blade.
Step 6:
The thicker piece of material should be between the blade and the fence.
DON'T:
... cut a narrow piece between the fence and the board. The small piece could shoot out and hit you or another person in the face.
Step 7:
Between cuts, check your saw blade for errant debris. Don't leave slivers in and around the blade. These pieces can fly up and hit you or a co-worker in the eye—a dangerous situation even when wearing eye protection.
Step 8:
When you are done using the table saw, unplug it, and lower the blade below the surface of the table. This prevents accidents if the table falls over or if someone bumps up against it.
