Thread: Bench Saw Safety

Don,

The hospital stats that I have on hand show that 210 people out of every 100,000 visited a hospital with injuries caused by “external means” (excluding vehicle accidents and medical conditions) in 1998-99. Within this category, the second most frequently reported injury mechanism in public hospitals was exposure to mechanical forces “mainly accidents caused by cutting or piercing instruments or objects, striking against or struck accidentally …” (having a moment of deja-vu - I think I’ve discussed this before ?). Of course not all of these are woodworking related but it would be interesting to know what the numbers are.

The figures do suggest that concerns surrounding the number of accidents with powered machines and tools (in the public arena) are at least on face value worth looking into further.

One problem with machinery safety is there are many and varied factors that must be taken into account. I don’t believe there is one solution to fit all with table saws. Thinking out loud if safety was a key factor I’d be looking for a sliding table with an overhead guard and riving knife – perhaps also some form of anti-kickback given the numerous cases of impalement every year associated with kickback on this equipment. Clearly not all machines offer this level of safety.

Another concern is that these types of features are often not available in the lower price brackets.

Mark, of course you are correct. And perhaps I'm attempting to oversimplify the issue.

But I am convinced that those who find it most difficult to justify the cost of paying extra for safety are those who have never been injured. I doubt that anyone who has suffered serious injury whilst involved in a recreational hobby would have the same difficulty. Furthermore, I suspect that many would forego the purchase of potentially unsafe equipment if they had the choice of making the decision over again.

A few years back, my company purchased a small production company in which thirty employees earned their livelihood using custom-made production equipment. The company had a good safety record but this was only good luck. Four of the production machines required operators to place their hands and forearms into a field where a large weighted swing arm passed in sequence subsequent to manually loading a tray with raw material. It was a simple process, and once the operator learned the rhythm, it would be highly unlikely that any injury occurred. Unlikely, but not impossible. If a lapse of concentration occurred it was possible that an operator could severely damage, or lose a forearm.

The solution? Four sensors that stopped the equipment if anything was inserted into the danger field out of sequence. The cost $3000 per machine.

And you should have heard the criticism of the factory workers, the very ones I was attempting to protect, and my executive team who rightly argued that no injuries had occurred so far.

Talk about crazy logic!:confused:

I'm just trying to keep the issue of safety a "top-of-mind" issue when it comes to justifying the cost of purchasing power equipment.

The only "stubbies" that I want around my house are the ones from which I drink, not the ones I shake hands with.

Of course all the above posts talking safety factors once again highlight the ever-present dangers we face whilst enjoying Woodwork etc.
Riving Knives,Blade guards are there for a purpose and that is to deny mans stupidity and his clumsiness in his approach to using a table saw.
Everyone of us if we can will try to find an easier way to do something like ripping a board which might require removing the blade guard to achieve the depth of cut.In doing so one obviously needs to be mindful that in taking a short cut (excuse the pun) he is possibly compounding the risk factor and must allow for this in his further approach.
I had the need to remove the blade guard yesterday to get the depth of cut which also necessitated lowering the Riving knife back below the uppermost section of the sawblade.In doing so the dangers it presented required assurance that the hold-downs and featherboards were in place to keep the risk to an absolute minimum.
Fortunately the aluminium sacrificial bench cover plate was all that was damaged in the ensuing aftermath as the edge of the timber feeding thru whilst ripping caught the edge of the sacrificial bench cover plate insert forcing it laterally into the blade.
After shutting down with no damage to me or the blade the cover plate has a gouge out of it which has left it virtually useless so required me making a wooden replacement to use in it's stead while awaiting a replacement now on order.
Without those hold downs the force and damage to me and machine could have been worse, but I'm thankful I took the extra time to put in place what was necessary to minimise my risk.
Just a coincidental reminder to all to take care out there.
Cheers

I don't think it's over simplifying the issue, but more so airing some of the issues that should come to mind when purchasing and using this gear.
I grew up around timber harvesting and have seen many preventable incidents in harvesting and milling, one of which ended my fathers career and came within a pint of blood of ending his life. The greater majority of people just don't appreciate the damage that wood working machines are capable of inflicting. Every week at work I come across a new case of a carpenter or building worker losing a thumb, a finger, severing a thigh muscle, driving a nail through their hand, etc, etc. Most of these occur through complacency as opposed to a lack of knowledge and skills. I'll hazard a guess that in the public arena this is the other way around. It all stems around peoples behaviours. If we could change behaviours with the click of our fingers the road toll would drop 90% overnight. Unfortunately it's not the case, but by raising awareness through graphic advertising the TAC did acheive a reduction. If you need further reason or a wake up call I suggest you have a look at this safety website and just read the list of photo's - opening the link will bring up a list such as this (you have to click on the links to the images to see them):

• Thumb Amputation in Lathe WARNING! Graphic Image
• Planing Machine Injury to Finger Tips WARNING! Graphic Image
• Lathe & Glove Injury WARNING! Graphic Image
• Finger vs. Bandsaw
• Worker vs. Jigsaw WARNING! Graphic Image
• Table Saw Hand Amputation WARNING! Graphic Image
• Finger Tips Amputation from table saws WARNING! Graphic Image
• Saw Injuries (multiple photos) WARNING! Graphic Image

Safety Engineering (www.safteng.net)

A timely reminder Eastie of due diligence ans duty of care in ones everyday activities.
The Easter Road toll is a case in point,another is don't go woodworking ( with machinery)if in an emotional state ie angry,hurt, etc ,go with clear presence of mind and come away happy always.
Cheers stay well stay safe.