The Circular Saw

‡ An extremely useful and versatile powered hand

saw
‡ Consists of spinning metal disk as a cutting
blade
Typical speed: 4000-8000 rpms
Typical blade size: 4´-7 ¼ ³
‡ Applications: Mainly Wood!! metals & plastics
*masonry better left to wet saws

ï
 WE WILL HERE BE CONSIDERING THE

HANDTOOL VARIETY
 The Circular Saw
‡ Cutting blade is motor driven
‡ Blade rated by KERF: the thickness of the
defect left by the blade
‡ Mostly electric; occasionally battery or gas
powered. Shown here left to right:
azards to be Aware:
‡ Serious Cuts/Burns
‡ Trips/Falls
‡ Electrocution/Shock
‡ earing or Eye Damage
‡ Lung Damage
‡ Material Kickback
 ïCBI Study
source http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7158079

Of 266 Circular Saw injuries the following was

found:

‡ More than half the injuries were to only one

finger.
‡ Probability of injury increases in the digits
closest to the thumb side of the hand
‡ ïo significant difference in left or right hand
injuries
‡ Multiple finger injuries were found to most likely
be diagonal cuts rarely resulting in amputation
‡ Amputation was more frequent in single digit
injuries
 OSA Fatality Records

‡ ÿ
ÿÿ at approximately 15:30 an employee was nailing and

trimming particle board sheathing on an roof. e slid off the roof
falling thirty feet-six inches head first onto a piece of 2x4 debris. e
Y
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ooth
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d o f ll pot to

pt. Worker was declared dead at the scene.

The hypothesis is that the victim was finished trimming, was in the
process of climbing up the steep roof to the means of egress at the
front to the structure. He appeared to slide off the roof feet first
with the electrical cord from the Makita circular saw wrapped
around his right leg. The cord from the saw apparently was caught
between the joist material for the upper by window, went taught,
flipping the victim head first onto the wooden debris on the ground.
Extracted from OSA inspection data, 1990-2007
 OSA Fatality Records

‡ Two employees accessed the roof and began to cut

(with a circular saw) the sheathing away from the fly
rafters. After the cut was completed, the fly rafter was
dropped (because it was to heavy for them to hold,
although they did intend to drop it) from the roof, hit the
ground and struck the victim in the back of the head.
The victim knew the employees were on the roof, yet
unfortunately walked out of a doorway directly
underneath the workers on the roof.
Extracted from OSA inspection data, 1990-2007
 OSA Fatality Records

‡ ¢
 at approximately 10:00 an employee

who was using a gas driven circular saw to cut a
clay sewer line was struck and cut by the tool
when it kicked back right after completing the
cut of the pipe. The powered tool flppd to th
 thus reaching the right side of the employee's
neck resulting in a fatal injury.
Extracted from OSA inspection data, 1990-2007
 Serious Cuts

‡ The hands are in

particular danger
because they are used
to guide the tool
‡ The hands are most commonly injured
‡ Cuts range from superficial to severed
soft-tissue and bone
‡ Serious cuts have resulted in DEAT!
Burns and Electrocution
‡The power cord and any attached extension
cords pose the threats of electric shock

‡Electrocution is Death by Electric Shock

‡azard: the accidental cutting of the

cord or contact with grounded surfaces
ealth Effects*:
Fatigue, Bone Fractures, Burns on the Skin, earing Impairment, Irregular

eartbeat, eart Attack, Irregular Breathing, Loss of Reflex Control,

Muscle Cramps, Muscle Pain, Confusion, Amnesia, or Memory Loss, Loss of

Consciousness, Visual Impairment

*allhealth.com.au ?uthor: James Broomfield, MD Reviewer: eknowhow Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr John
earne Last Updated: 19/12/2004
Trips and Falls

‡ These injuries generally

involve tripping on the
Power or Extension Cord

‡ This injuries range from

minor scrapes and bruising
to Broken Limbs and DEAT
 earing and Eye Damage

‡ ïoise at high Decibel levels and/or

exposure periods can cause Temporary or
Permanent earing Impairment or Loss
‡ Airborne Debris created while sawing
threaten the Eyes and other Sensitive
Areas of the Face. Can result in Temporary
or Permanent Blindness
‡ Depending on the
Lung Damage?
Properties of Material
to be cut, Particles/Debris
can be inhaled resulting in
Immediate or Long Term
Respiratory Issues
 [[E
Personal Protective Equipment

‡ Safety Goggles with Side Shields

‡ earing Protection

‡ Respirator/Mask
 G s and G
s
?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand
www.handcare.org

‡ ïever look away from the work.

‡ ïever use the hands to clear the scraps from a

sawing worktable, instead, use a long stick.

‡ Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry around the

wrists.

‡ Keep the fingers off the trigger when carrying a

portable power saw.

 ?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand. Geveloped by the ?SSH [ublic Education Committee
 G s and G
s
?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand
www.handcare.org
‡ Do not use the saw to perform a task for which it
was not designed.

‡ Use the correct blade for the application. Set it for

the correct depth, to minimize the amount of
exposed blade and reduce the potential for
binding.

‡ Use sharp blades. Dull blades cause binding,

stalling and possible kickback.

 ?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand. Geveloped by the ?SSH [ublic Education Committee
 Gos and G
s
?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand
www.handcare.org

‡ When starting, let the saw reach full speed before

cutting and support the work firmly so it will not
shift.

‡ If the saw stalls, switch off the power and unplug

the tool before trying to restart it.

‡ When working with metal, secure the metal

materials with clamps or in a machinist¶s vise to
keep it from moving.

 ?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand. Geveloped by the ?SSH [ublic Education Committee
 G s and G
s
?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand
www.handcare.org
Check for proper blade guard operation before
each cut.

‡ When starting or stopping the saw, make sure

the work is not touching the blade.

‡ Lower a table saw blade below the table top

when finished.

‡ Keep a clear head, concentrate, and DO ïOT

DRIïK ALCOOL before using a power saw!

 ?merican Society for Surgery of the Hand. Geveloped by the ?SSH [ublic Education Committee
Before Cutting
‡ Inspect Blades For:
Chips, Cracks and Warps, Always use
Sharp Blades, Correct Type
‡ Be sure saw is Oiled and Clean
‡ Be sure all Surfaces are Stable and Level
‡ Check for Location of Cord
‡ Keep area Beneath Saw orses Clean
When Cutting
‡ Engage Trigger Prior to Cut
‡ Be aware of the surroundings but keep the
Eyes on the saw while operating it
‡ Cut at a constant speed with deliberate
motion
‡ Use Both ands ± Keep them at a
reasonable Distance from Blade
After Cutting
‡ At the Completion of the task
Unplug the Electrical Chord

‡ Identify and Remove any Trip azard

‡ Dispose of Debris
More Do¶s
‡ Read the Operators Manual!

‡ Adjust the Blade as appropriate for material

‡ Plan the cut

‡ Keep a Clean Work Area

‡ Stabilize Material to be cut

More Don¶t
‡ Apply too much downward pressure while
cutting
‡ Saw on uneven ground or uneven
surfaces
‡ ïever remove manufacturer installed
guards
‡ Operate without proper Safety Training
 OSA Regulations
‡ 1926.304(d) Guarding
All portable, power driven circular saws shall be
equipped with guards above and below the base
plate or shoe
‡ 1926.304(e) Personal protective equipment.
All personal protective equipment provided for
use shall conform to Subpart E of this part.
‡ 1926.304(g) Radial Saws
The upper hood shall completely enclose the
upper portion of the blade