There are up to 10 million Table saws in the United States. Much more equipment like this may be found in our classrooms, workshops, and workplaces. Thousands of people suffer injuries to their fingers and hands every year, but debris flying from the swiftly spinning blade can also injure other body parts. A large number of Table saw injuries occur every year. How to avoid Table saw accidents? We arranged a team of woodworking experts to bring forth the common reasons for table saw accidents and give us some safety rules to avoid table saw accidents.
In this post, we’ll look at the potential dangers that come with this woodworking instrument, as well as the security precautions that must be taken. So, read on!
How to avoid table saw accidents
10 safety measures to avoid table saw accidents
You can reduce the risk of injury by taking some common-sense precautions in mind. Here are 10 safety tips to avoid table saw injuries that every woodworker should remember:
- Check safety features
Always check the safety equipment of your table saw before commencing any table-saw job to ensure your safety. The saw blade guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback pawls are all meant to keep the woodworker safe, and they should all be adjusted before turning on the power.
- Wear safety equipment
It is mandatory to wear all safety equipment before using a power cutting tool, even if you are meant to perform a minor task from it. Always put on safety goggles hearing projection. And please do not forget to wear a respirator mask to save your lungs from sawdust.
- Keep your workspace clean
Always keep your surrounding area and table saw clean from stock, cutoffs, and excess sawdust. Any debris can hinder the woodworker’s ability to produce safe and clean cuts, and if a loose piece of stock comes into touch with a moving blade, it could become a projectile and can cause kickbacks.
- Always use a push stick
To keep your fingers safe from coming into contact with the blade, it is advised to use a push stick when less than six inches of stock away from the blade on the board being cut.
- Check the wood before cutting
Before starting any cut, the woodworker should visually check the wood for foreign things such as screws, nails, staples, or even a loose knot in the wood. If it comes into contact with a spinning blade, any of these can come loose and become a tragic projectile. A specially designed metal detector is ideal for checking any nail or screw in the stock when working with recycled material.
- Never stand directly in front of the blade
Woodworkers should never stand exactly in front of the blade since this will cause the stock to glide past the operator’s midsection rather than kick back into the body if a kickback occurs.
The woodworker should maintain a good, firm stance with a wide base to keep a proper balance when standing at the grizzly table saw.
- Do not start cutting unless the blade is spinning at its max speed
Before starting the saw, the woodworker should double-check that the blade is spinning freely and is not stuck in the stock. Before beginning the cut, allow the blade to achieve full speed after the motor has been turned on. And never start cutting unless the blade is spinning at its max speed.
- Unplug the saw unit before changing the blade
The woodworker should always turn off the power to the table saw or unplug it before changing the blade or making any other internal changes. This eliminates the danger of the saw accidentally turning on while working on the table saw.
- Never reach over a moving blade
Never reach over a moving bade to make changes in fence or blade. Please wait until the blade stops moving to make any changes or alignments of its components for your safety.
- Use blade inserts
Always use the right zero-clearance blade inserts when using a table saw. A piece of stock could fall into the saw cabinet and become a projectile if there isn’t a blade insert.
What are the common reasons behind table saw accidents?
Table saws are the most dangerous power tool in the home, and they can cause catastrophic injuries. Let’s have a look at some of the potential hazards that could result in a life-threatening injury for a table saw operator:
- Nails or chips
Almost everyone who has used the table saw for a long time has suffered from some kind of this injury. Things like wood chips, nails, and sawdust can kick back off the blade at a very high speed. A little piece of wood might easily cut the operator’s skin or cause serious eye injury.
- Dull Blades
When cutting wood with a dull blade, the wood might easily kick back at the operator and can injure him. A well-oiled, sharp blade allows for smooth operation, whereas a dull blade creates dangerous starts and fits. Please avoid working with dull blades.
- Falling on the saw unit
The results can be truly tragic if you fall while using the table saw. When blades are dull, and a worker attempts to cut to apply some mechanical effort to feed the blade, he may fall in front of the blade. These kinds of accidents happen when a table saw operator pushes his wood through the saw with too much force and then falls on the blade, which is spinning at full speed.
- Wet Woods
Never cut any wood that is not completely dry. Any web piece of wood can slide or slip and cause injury in your fingers or hands.
- Loose clothing
Loose clothing can be caught in the table saw’s blade, especially if the operator wears loose-fitting clothes that hang loosely on his body. When the cloth is pushed into the saw, your body may be pushed into the blade.
When operating a portable table saw, loose-fitting clothing, neckties, and jewelry are all hazards to avoid.
Conclusion
If you own a table saw, you’re aware that this power tool requires extreme caution to avoid any table saw accident. A single distraction can cause you to come too near to the machine’s blade, resulting in a potentially fatal injury.
Always focus on work and tools while operating any power tool to ensure safety. We hope you find this article helpful and I hope you follow these safety rules for table saw while working. Scroll down to the comment box and share your reviews there.
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