Comments on: Safety While Using A Portable Saw

By: Brad Matthews

Brad Matthews — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:51:34 +0000

Another Item to mention is: Never rest or place the tool on your body ever. Whether it is a brain snap or not thinking about what they are doing but too many investigations identify that the worker was resting the tool on their body when ‘something’ happened.
This occurence usually happens when the worker is Hungry, Angry, Lazy or Tired.

H.A.L.T: is a handy acronym to remember and outlines some of the risk factors that influence behaviour in the workplace.

By: Cyril Fegan

Cyril Fegan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:18:48 +0000

Portable Saw Safety
Always make sure that the floor area where you are working is clean and clear of any material (off-cuts) that could foul the saw power cable as you are making the cut.
When using a portable saw it is important that the power cable is free to travel the distance of the cut and not get caught before the cut is completed. I usually drape the power cable over my shoulder and pass the saw over the work to make sure that the cable doesn’t catch before the cut is completed.
Safety is No Accident!

By: Les Henley

Les Henley — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:20:44 +0000

Along with checking the plug and the saw blade, you should also check that the BLADE GUARD is in place and working properly.

BLADE GUARD: When fitted and working properly it should:
1: cover the entire blade when the saw is resting,
2: slide open easily to allow it, when the saw is operating, to slide freely along the cutting surface and
3: spring back quickly (spring return) to cover the blade when the saw is lifted off the material being cut or when the cut is finished.

By: Rustum Suleman

Rustum Suleman — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:10:32 +0000

Hearing protection like ear muffs/plugs should also be used.
Also it would be wise to adjust the cutting depth of the blade depending on the thickness of the material to be cut.