• All saws need effective guarding to prevent contact with the point of operation.
• Employers must remember that each type of saw calls for specific safeguarding methods.

Hand-fed ripsaws

Employers must check whether:

• Each circular hand-fed ripsaw is guarded by a hood that completely encloses all parts of the saw that are above the table and above the stock (29 CFR 1910.213(c)(1));
• The hood on each circular hand-fed ripsaw is mounted in a way that guarantees the hood will operate positively, reliably, and in true alignment with the saw (1910.213(c)(1));
• This mounting is strong enough to resist any reasonable side thrust or other force that could throw it out of line (1910.213(c)(1));
• The hood and mounting for each circular hand-fed ripsaw are arranged so the hood will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of the stock (1910.213(c)(1));
• This hood remains in contact with the stock (1910.213(c)(1));
• The stock can be fed into this hood with little resistance;
• Each circular hand-fed ripsaw is equipped with a spreader to prevent stock from squeezing the saw or being thrown back toward the operator (1910.213(c)(2));
• This spreader is made of hard tempered steel or the equivalent (1910.213(c)(2));
• This spreader is thinner than the saw kerf (1910.213(c)(2));
• This spreader is stiff enough to resist any reasonable side-thrust or blow that could throw it out of position (1910.213(c)(2));
• Each circular hand-fed ripsaw has non-kickback fingers or dogs located to oppose the thrust or tendency of the saw to pick up the material or throw it back toward the operator; and
• These non-kickback fingers or dogs provide adequate holding power for all thicknesses of stock. (1910.213(c)(3))

Hand-fed crosscut table saws

Employers should check whether:

• Each hand-fed crosscut table saw is guarded by a hood that completely encloses all parts of the saw that are above the table and above the stock;
• The hood and mounting for each hand-fed crosscut table saw are arranged so the hood automatically adjusts to the thickness of the stock;
• This hood remains in contact with the stock; and
• The stock can be fed into this hood with little resistance. (1910.213(d)(1))

Circular resaws

Employers should check whether:

• Each circular resaw is guarded by a metal hood or metal shield above the saw (1910.213 (e)(1));
• This hood or shield guards against flying splinters and broken saw teeth (1910.213(e)(1));
• A spreader is securely fastened behind each circular resaw (1910.213(e)(2)); and
• This spreader is slightly thinner than the saw kerf and slightly thicker than the saw disk. (1910.213(e)(2))

Self-feed circular saws

Employers should check whether:

• Each self-feed circular saw is equipped with a hood or guard that prevents operators’ hands from contacting in-running feed rolls (1910.213(f)(1));
• This guard is constructed from heavy material, preferably metal (1910.213(f)(1));
• The bottom of this guard extends down to within three-eighths of an inch of the plane formed by the bottom or working surfaces of the feed rolls (1910.213(f)(1));
  • (Note: This distance may be increased to three-fourths of an inch if the lead edge of the hood extends to at least 5 ½ inches in front of the nip point between the front roll and the work.)
• Each self-feed circular saw has sectional non-kickback fingers for the full width of the feed rolls (1910.213(f)(2));
• These non-kickback fingers are placed in front of the self-feed circular saw (1910.213(f)(2)); and
• These non-kickback fingers continually contact the stock during operation. (1910.213(f)(2))

Swing cutoff saws and sliding cutoff saws

Employers should check whether:

• Each swing cutoff saw and sliding cutoff saw has a hood that completely encloses the upper half of the saw, the arbor end, and the point of operation at all positions of the saw (1910.213(g)(1));
• This hood protects operators from flying splinters and broken saw teeth (1910.213(g)(1));
• This hood automatically covers the lower part of the saw blade, so the hood drops to and remains contacting the stock or table when the saw moves forward and rises atop the fence when the saw returns to the back of the table (1910.213(g)(1));
• Each swing cutoff saw and sliding cutoff saw has an automatic return device (1910.213(g)(2));
• Each swing cutoff saw and sliding cutoff saw has limit chains or other equally effective devices that prevent it from swinging past the edges of the table or beyond a forward position where the gullets of the lowest saw teeth rise above the tabletop (1910.213(g)(3));
• Each inverted swing cutoff saw has a hood that covers the part of the saw that protrudes above the stock or table (1910.213(g)(4));
• The hood on each inverted swing cutoff saw automatically adjusts to the thickness of the stock (1910.213(g)(4)); and
• The hood on each inverted swing cutoff saw continually contacts the stock during operation. (1910.213(g)(4))

Radial saws

Employers should check whether:

• The upper hood of each radial saw completely encloses the upper portion of the blade down to the point that includes the end of the saw arbor (1910.213(h)(1));
• The sides of the lower, exposed portion of the blade on each radial saw are guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that automatically adjusts to the thickness of the stock (1910.213(h)(1));
• The adjusting device on each radial saw remains in contact with the stock to give maximal protection for the operation performed (1910.213(h)(1));
• Both sides of each radial saw used for ripping have non-kickback fingers or dogs to oppose the thrust or tendency of the saw to throw stock back at the operator (1910.213(h)(2));
• Each radial saw is equipped with an adjustable stop that prevents the forward travel of the blade beyond the position necessary to complete the cut in repetitive operations (1910.213(h)(3));
• Each radial saw is installed so that the front end of each unit is slightly higher than the rear (1910.213(h)(4));
• The cutting head of each radial saw is fitted with an automatic return device;
• The direction of saw rotation is conspicuously marked on the hood of each radial saw (1910.213(h)(5)); and
• A permanent label, measuring at least 1 ½ inches by ¾ of an inch, is affixed to the rear of the guard on each radial saw at approximately arbor-level that reads: “Danger: Do not rip or plow from this end.” (1910.213(h)(5))

Bandsaws and band resaws

Employers should check whether:

• All parts of the saw blade on each bandsaw and band resaw are enclosed or guarded, except for the working portion of the blade between the bottom of the guide rolls and the table (1910.213(i)(1));
• A self-adjusting guard raises and lowers the guide on each bandsaw and band resaw (1910.213(i)(1));
• Each bandsaw machine has a tension control device that indicates the proper tension for saw blades used on the machine (1910.213(i)(2));
• Each bandsaw wheel is fully encased (1910.213(i)(1));
• The outside periphery of each bandsaw’s enclosure is solid (1910.213(i)(1));
• The front and back of the band wheels on each bandsaw and band resaw are enclosed by solid material, wire mesh, or perforated metal (1910.213(i)(1));
  • (Note: The mesh or perforated metal must not be less than 0.037 inches (U.S. Gage No. 20), and the openings must not be greater than three-eighths of an inch. If solid material is used instead, it must be of equivalent strength and firmness.)
• Each band resaw is equipped with a suitable guard that prevents operators’ hands from contacting in-running feed rolls (1910.213(i)(3));
• This guard is made of heavy material, preferably metal (1910.213(i)(3)); and
• The edge of this guard extends to within three-eighths of an inch of the plane formed by the inside face of the feed roll in contact with the stock. (1910.213(i)(3))