Many workers have lost fingers or hands when using circular saws that are unguarded, or when following unsafe working practices. Check today that your circular saw procedures make the grade.
Tips to Help Ensure that Workers Are Protected when Using Circular Saws
- Undertake a risk assessment to find out what the hazards are – this would likely include lacerations and amputations, clothing becoming caught and kickback injuries. Consider the best controls to mitigate the risk, such as the use of aids, guarding and suitable workwear.
- Make sure workers only use the machine for the material and purpose it was intended for.
- Give adequate training to workers on the safe use of circular saws, and supervise them in their activities. Ensure workers know to check before use that the blade is not dull or covered in deposits such as resin. Teach them to stop the machine and remove the blade to clean it – workers must never try to scrape a moving blade.
- Ensure guarding is in place – the top guard should be fitted as close as possible to the material being cut. Circular saw machines should be fitted with a braking device that brings the blade to rest within 10 seconds during run down.
- Keep body parts away from the dangerous moving parts of the saw at all times. Make sure that workers use push sticks or an automated feed system to keep hands away from the blade. Push sticks must be at least 450mm in length and must be able to feed the last 300mm of a cut through the machine.
Contact us should you require assistance.
