Don't forget to engage your safety (Tablesaw accident)

[harryball]

Well guys... my Nephew just cut the end of his thumb off today with a table saw. (Not in my shop) Looks to have been about 3/4" lost and last I heard reattachment options are still unknown. I would share photos... but I think you guys (unfortunately) have seen those before.

Thought I'd share as I think cautionary tales can come to mind as you approach your power tools and maybe help engage your "between the ears" safety.

It's a bad situation but it could have been much worse. I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

Please be safe out there.

[wayne_webb]

I think about my guitar playing every time I use the table saw....Use those push sticks. Sorry about your nephew.

[Bob Eustace]

Yes we all do tend to get a bit slack with the main issue being forgetting to plonk the riving knife back in after messing with dados or zero clearance inserts. Have a look at this video of a very good tradesman and just how easy it is to get into trouble. Push sticks dont necessarily save you! The Gwinnett woodworkers video on tge Incra box joint jig shows how good the sawstop has become - hit the metal yet stopped so quick zero damage to the jig.

http://youtu.be/GPEfykBtNhg


Gwinnett link is also a good vid on how easy it is to change the cartridge.

http://youtu.be/kFiVJzigMKs

[ntraub01]

OMG...just this morning I had a very unpleasant conversation with our primary cabinet maker about new guards being installed on our table saws to prevent this exact type of accident. I am very aware of how much of a nuisance they are but, needless to say, the guards are going back on and I will let HR deal with the angst against the use of them.

[zeykr]

Just now got back from a Fire Dept medical run. 73 year old neighbor cut 3 fingers on a contractor table saw. They flew him via helicopter to the trauma center in the neighboring state for access to a hand surgeon.

[scottp55]

Sorry Harry! Yep, first time I ever YELLED at my Dad was when he reached for a piece, while I was reaching for STOP button. In the wheelchair my eyes are right in the "Zone" when using the sliding table which is almost always.

[dlcw]

Just now got back from a Fire Dept medical run. 73 year old neighbor cut 3 fingers on a contractor table saw. They flew him via helicopter to the trauma center in the neighboring state for access to a hand surgeon.

As a fellow firefighter/EMT I know how that goes. Had someone I know have a power tool accident and had to medivac him out as where I live is VERY rural and the only quick way out is helo.

I have a dust collection/blade guard that fits over my blade and doesn't leave if I am ripping or crosscutting. Have to go way out of my way to get my fingers anywhere near the blade with this guard in place. Only time it is not on is when using a dado blade, which is rare, as the CNC does a lot of that work on sheet goods for me now.

[Ajcoholic]

Yes, you have to be careful. And not just on the table saw... in my shop - with the large radial arm saw, spindle shaper, 16" jointer, wood lathe (especially the large copy lathe), etc etc there is always something to be mindful of.

I saw my father lose all his fingers on his left hand on February 14, 1996. Awful. His hand when I was up in the emerg dept. looked like hamburger meat. He was lucky in the sense, the hand surgeon (4 hrs away) decided to try and reattach VS leave them off, since he had another 10 yrs work left and was self employed. And we are very lucky here that the surgery is paid for by the Government. I don't envy those without insurance.

When I go into my shop each day, I always make sure what I am doing is as safe as possible and still get the job done. Sometimes that still leaves some risk which IMO is inherent in the woodworking business.

When I set up my new shop, I decided to buy a 5HP industrial Sawstop as my 10" cabinet saw. I still use the guard and riving knife always. I have tripped the saw once, when I accidentally touched my aluminum (Kreg) mitre gauge to the blade (it was set too far over from a previous cut). It stopped so fast, and without any noise or anything it took me a few seconds to understand what had happened. That saw provides some added piece of mind. (please no political hates on the sawstop company... it is not my intention to start anything I am just telling my own story).

But that still doesnt help me out when I fire up the 14" Griggio slider. But again, on that saw I always have the blade gaurd/hood on and set down as low as possible, and I have the riving knife on always - and I also use a pneumatic clamp to hold down my sheet goods so my hands are free to move the carriage and do not have to go anywhere near the blade or guard.

[scottp55]

OK, Getting nervous now as my hands are 100% of my locomotion. Won't tell you guys what I did last week on the UNI just to save time taking sliding fence off.
Re-Thinking.

[dlcw]

And we are very lucky here that the surgery is paid for by the Government.


Interesting comment. YOU pay for your medical care with the taxes you pay. Governments don't have any money, they have YOUR money. That is something people down here in the states just can't comprehend. The government takes money from working people to pay for things.

I'm glad things worked out Ok for your father.

My Dad used to be the Captain of two large sailing (yes, powered by sails and the wind) research ships out of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and would take these ships out in some of the most horrendous conditions (with a bunch of students who had never been on a sailing ship before) and it always scared the **** out of me. He would be gone for 10 weeks at a time. I was afraid he would fall off a yardarm, get washed over the side, or loose a hand, arm, leg, etc. in the bite of a line, or any number of other hazardous things on a large sailing vessel. All this took place after serving 26 years in the US Coast Guard as a helicopter rescue pilot in AK (Bering Sea, Gulf of AK) and other not so hospitable places on the planet.

My philosophy is simple in the shop - If it doesn't feel right, I find another way to do it that does feel right. After 45 years of doing this, I have kind of a sense if something doesn't feel quite right. Has probably saved me a number of times.

[harryball]

Got some more info... he was "free handing a board through the saw at an angle". I get chills just thinking about doing that. He lost about 3/4" of his left thumb, lacerated several fingers and was bruised up when the board went flying.


Just now got back from a Fire Dept medical run. 73 year old neighbor cut 3 fingers on a contractor table saw. They flew him via helicopter to the trauma center in the neighboring state for access to a hand surgeon.

That's bad and I would say nothing to take away from the trauma of it... but I can't help to think he was 73 years old vs. my Nephew who is about 27 years old. You're never too old for safety, but I sure feel for those that have accidents like this and still have their whole life to go through.

[scottp55]

Yep, 34 yrs old when I stepped through a 3X3' hole covered with a 4X4' pallet with no markings and took a 19' digger onto a concrete floor. It only takes a second(or .5705 seconds in my case) to change your life.

[steve_g]

The older I get, the more I wish the “SawStop” was invented before I bought my table saw… Then again, since I still have 9 ¾ of my fingers left, perhaps it’s not too late, especially since my grandson is enamored with my tools!
Well wishes to your nephew…
SG

[scottp55]

Kinda,sortof,semi-related. A Guy we work with and I personally like. LIVE every day like it's your last.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?tab=wm#label/mike+c/14708253175947eb

[scottp55]

That didn't work. C and Pasted?
---------------------

Almost died the other day…
Posted: 05 Jul 2014 06:24 AM PDT
Complacency, that’s what almost killed me this past Wednesday. Carefree, doing something I’ve done 1000 times before, without a care in the world, thinking everything would just be okay.

Let me tell you what happened, not so you’ll feel bad, or be like “Mike…! I’m so glad you’re okay!” Nope… I’m writing this so next time you become complacent or not as safe as you should be you step back and think.

Wednesday morning was an absolutely beautiful morning… Sunny, 75°, nice little breeze, and that perfect morning dew smell in the air. Had lots of work/stuff to do, but with it so super nice out, decided I’d go cruising around town with Caleb the super dog and a good book. We strolled down to Mantle Lake to find a nice quiet spot, but the weed wacker boys were noisily mowing/trimming the park, so we continued on down the bike path, eventually to the banks of the Presque Isle stream at Riverside Park.

Innocently enough I pulled my wheelchair up underneath this nice shady tree, facing the water… One of my favorite spots… A place I’ve gone many times, and got to reading. What a beautiful morning! Sitting there reading for a little while, and my phone rings… It’s my grandmother and I pick up and say hi. We chat for a little while, and I get coughing and coughing… A nasty little lung oyster wants to say hi to the sunshine, and I cough real hard and the top strap of my wheelchair let’s go and I start falling forward onto my wheelchair’s joystick. No biggie y’all think, just catch yourself, but the only thing is all my belly muscles are paralyzed, and I’m quickly teetering towards the point of no return. I throw my head and arms back… the only thing I can do to counteract the force, this movement forward, and sit there teetering… not moving forward, but also not moving back, just there 1 mm from complete safety, and 1 mm from falling forward onto my joystick and driving my wheelchair off the bank into the river. I fight like I’ve never fought, pulling my head back, straining, trying to get whatever motion back that I can, and I start teetering, teetering back to my wheelchair with a flourish, a flourish of energy and I’m there, laying there against the back of my wheelchair, and I’m alive.

I sit there stunned for a few minutes, still on the phone with my grandmother, and I tell her I have to go, and sit back and think about what just happened. I look down at the safety strap that goes across my chest that is now unattached on my lap, and look over at the joystick that is in 5th gear ready to go forward and fast, and the water that’s just a few feet away, and take in the gravity of the whole situation. Holy shit! I almost just fell forward and drove my wheelchair right off the bank into the water. I almost just drowned, I almost died, just like that. And then I got sick all over, and my body started tingling, and I had this incredible euphoria, but I was scared, but so happy because I was alive and everything was okay.

Crazy, huh? One minute, everything’s okay, just hanging out reading a book, and the next I’m almost plunging to the depths of the Presque Isle stream.

I call my father, and he comes down to Riverside, to help me put my top strap back on, and we see the Velcro is completely gummed up with a bunch of little dingle berries from my favorite wool sweater. I’ve known that the strap hasn’t been attaching as well as it once did for months, but always said to myself it was fine, I’d fix it tomorrow. But today, it was all gummed up, not working, completely useless, and it almost ended my life.

com·pla·cen·cy – “a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect or the like”

So why did I share this with you… Not because I want you to feel bad for me. Not because I want you to say “oh Mike, I’m so glad you’re okay.” But because I want you to think next time you climb up that ladder you’ve gone up 1000 times before, or jump on your bike for a quick ride down the street without checking the brakes, or go for a rock climb on that rope that’s may be seen it’s better days, or jump in your car that just had work done to the brakes, and assume everything is okay.

DON’T! DON’T BECOME COMPLACENT! Don’t just assume everything’s okay. Take those extra seconds to double check that ladder, make sure everything is safe on your bike, replace that rope that’s a little too worn, and re-torque the lug nuts on your vehicle after service.

Because sometimes that’s all it takes, that small moment of complacency, to be that dude in a 500 pound wheelchair sinking to the bottom of the stream with a service dog tied to your arm swimming around in circles.

Scary thought, huh! But I’m totally awesome and okay and again have a new lease on life :-) YIPPEE!
Share and Enjoy

[MogulTx]

Just left a message for my shop foreman and told them to GET RID of our table saw and to look for one with a SawStop or the capability to put one on it. (Ours is a 20 year old Delta Belt drive contractor saw, and the safeties have been removed/lost.)

I asked them to buy new guards for it a while back... but no parts were bought. I can't just allow some person to lose a thumb or finger without doing something about it.

So, I told them to take it out of work immediately, and to put out feelers for a contractor style saw that we can put a saw stop onto. ( We do not have a permanent place for the saw, and do not use it daily- or even very often... so we use the lighter-weight type with legs, so it can be placed on a pallet and stored on our racking. So I hope we can get one with a saw stop onto that style. BUT, at a minimum, it needs to have the standard protective gear in place. No horror stories! That is preventable.

[myxpykalix]

Someone's "moniker" here is "Ten fingers in, ten fingers out...it's a good day in the shop" and everyone here should make that a sign and put it up in your shops somewhere...

What you need to do is listen to that little voice whispering in your ear "don't do that, it's dangerous"...

I can't tell you how many times i've started to do something that i know is dangerous but i want to just get it done and something stops me cold. It's called listening to your intuition and common sense.:eek:

A SawStop is cheaper then new fingers. Many times i will use the bot to cut something rather then the tablesaw even though it takes longer. It keeps you away from the danger.

[rcnewcomb]

I'm 57 and still grateful for 10 fingers.

[80grit]

I got a cabinet table saw when I graduated high school. I already had a couple years experience with a smaller saw, but dad made me put the guard on anyway. It was really big and bulky, and I felt much less comfortable with it on there. Eventually, it came off for good. I've been woodworking part time for the last 18 years, and the table saw is the tool I feel most comfortable using. I guess it's because the blade is always in the same spot and I've developed a "no fly" zone to stay away from.

I feel much less comfortable using circular saws and sliding miter saws because of the kickback. That's why I always buy the cheap circular saws because they aren't very powerful, and I can manhadle them if they pinch.

I'm in the minority, though, because all the injuries I know about came from table saws. There are times when I know my head just isn't in it for various reasons, and I just shut things down. That's when bad things happen.

[gene]

Hey Steve ,
look at it this way . now you can do fractions :D

[Burkhardt]

I really apologize if this appears as I don't take safety seriously (moderator please delete if not appropriate...). Actually I do:
- my dad cut off his middle finger with a table saw ruining his violin hobby
- I just bought a table saw for myself. I WILL be careful.
- the safety officer of my company reports to me and we are certified to OHSAS 18001 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OHSAS_18001)

But anyway, I find that Norwegian joke just too funny (from Minnesota Midwest Jokes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ole and the Doctor

Ole vas vorking at da fish plant up nort in Dulut vhen he accidently cut off all ten off his fingers.

He vent to da emergency room at da Clinic and vhen he got dere da Norsky doctor looked at Ole and said, "Let's haf da fingers and I'll see vhat I can do."

Ole said, "I hafn't got da fingers, ya no."

"Vhat do you mean, you hafn't got da fingers? Yumpin' yiminy! It's 2005! Ve got microsurgery and all kinds off stuff. I could haf put dem back on and made you like new!”

“Vhy didn't you bring da fingers?"

Ole replied... "How da fock was I s'posed to pick 'em up?"

[myxpykalix]

Yumpin' yiminy!:D that was funny

[kevin]

In industrial its rare for some one to cut there finger on a table. Usually how they do it is reaching over the saw while still on clearing wood away.
The table saw is a safe machine is well the operator the accidents you hear are hobbyist .
I had a neighbor leave is hand in a log spilter the only thing that saved is hand was it was a cheap machine 120 volts not enough power to crush bone
I slipped with the biscuit joiner my thumb nail stopped the blade when I saw it happen looked like slow motion .Only lost my thumb nail it takes a lot of power to cut through bones
When I was young I worked at a factory that made frames for couches and chairs .They made the curve pieces on a band saw there was over 10 machines one of the operators took me aside told me about the guy before me my age lost 2 fingers .He told me to quit get a trade
There is no guard for a band saw yet rare to hear about an ancient its easy to take a finger off with a band saw same with a shaper

[POPS 64]

G . now that was funny, I can appreciate a good joke. I think the saw stop is a good thing . I've been a carpenter and woodworker most my life and the one thing I've learned is it can happen to anyone pro or hobbiest . that's why there called accidents. In all the years I ran work the biggest lesson was some people shouldn't use power tools because you can't teach common sense. POPS:D

[shilala]

Sorry about your nephew, brother. I hope he comes through it quickly.

I got 3 fingers kick-back slapped into the side of my saw blade a number of years ago. Took the pads off 3 off my fingertips.
It taught me a big lesson about making my machines right, using good blades, and watching both hands.
I got a sawstop, but I have no desire to test it. So far, so good.

[Xray]

I don't think anyone should be scared or intimidated from using a table saw hearing about accidents like this - No doubt many, many more get maimed and killed in car accidents, yet people don't consider going horseback when hearing of these.
Almost all accidents are due to operator error, the only exceptions being mechanical failures, so they key is to be alert and follow a strict routine. Saws cut, thats what they do, they must be respected when powered up, they can easily maim you if care is not taken.
Personally I worry more about kickbacks than getting cut. Nothing personal to anyone but you actually have to do something stupid to cut yourself on a table saw, whereas a kickback is much more unpredictable. To avoid them you have to concentrate your attention not only to the blade but to the fence, and maintain equal and steady pressure on both ends as the workpiece is fed in. Essential to have a fresh blade as well, if you notice it smoking then its time to change blades, a dull blade is dangerous to work with, though it can be tempting to milk out as much life as possible out of any cutting tool.

I saw a guy [no pun intended] on a large job run his hand into a 12" blade between his fingers and pretty much split his hand in 2, was very gory and tough to see but I can't say it taught me a lesson because I wouldn't have been doing what he did to cause it, in fact I was 1st guy using the saw after it was cleaned up.
Never be complacent or casual around a spinning blade is about the best advice I could offer.

[harryball]

Interesting range of replies... as for jokes... well I'm trying to determine if Christmas is too soon to give him a pair of thumbless gloves. :D

Anyone can become complacent and make mistakes, so all should be careful.

In this case, it was using a tablesaw inappropriately that created a situation where a brutal kickback occurred that pulled the hand he was trying to stabilize the board with into the blade. He said he knew he shouldn't have tried to do it but went ahead and tried.

Tablesaws are safe when used correctly with proper consideration. Like anything else, if you ignore your instincts, do things improperly and become complacent you can be seriously hurt in an instant.

[bleeth]

Easy rule for table saw safety. Watch the board against the fence-that's where the trouble starts. The blade isn't going anywhere.

[genek]

Best rule for table saw. Never have the blade more than 1/16 inch above the board you are cutting. This way if you slip and run your hand or finger into the blade you walk away with a small cut. never reach across the saw to hold a board. always use push sticks and push pads. Never have someone to pull the board through for you. Edge Board first to prevent binding. Keep the top clean and rust free. (I wax My table saw, planner etc. keeps the top slick helps with feeding rough lumber. Stand to the side of the board this way if it kicks back it goes by with out hitting you. (real good rule for thin Material that can slide under the fence. When thin Ply wood goes under and binds it will sling the plywood out and that is when you will see that a table saw can cut a half circle.) Out of all the tools in the shop, the Jointer and Table saw claim more fingers and Hands than any other tool. All saw related accidents can be accredited to operator error.

[myxpykalix]

Nobody likes a "I told you so":mad:...that's why i listen to my intuition because i don't want to hear him tell me i told you so, when i get hurt. It's only bad when i answer him back:confused::eek:

[waynelocke]

Never place either hand past the front of the blade. if you get a kickback at least your hand will be sent away from the blade.

Use a push stick on any thing less than 8" or 9" wide.

Ditto on watching the fence.

Always use the fence or some variation of the miter gauge. No freehanding anything.

[bleeth]

When cutting thin material you should clamp a flat piece of board or plywood to the fence that is tight to the table. If you don't need to have the edge perfectly square (like when cutting laminate) you can cut a piece of 1/8 or 1/4 inch material so it drops over your fence and keeps the edge of material above the gap under the fence.

As far as having the blade only 1/16th higher than the material, you must not cut too much plywood! Most of it is warped. Even on our slider we typically have it set at 1.5" when cutting 3/4" sheet goods. I darned sure don't want to have to worry about not "quite" cutting through my stock. You can do that when cutting smaller pieces if you want but it doesn't work for larger ones. Even well dimensioned S4S boards of some length won't be perfectly flat and it is common that the part of the board at the blade may not always be perfectly flat on the table. That practice will also dull your blades quicker as so much more blade is in contact with the material at once.

But, I will say not to take this reply too far the other way. I cringe and immediately give a lesson when some "newbie" in the shop has 3" of blade out when cutting typical 1/4-1" stock that we cut mostly.

(Hitting Medicare, making sawdust all my life, and still with all ten!)
It was another good day today-went home with no blood spilled.

[Ajcoholic]

I know its larger than some of you have, but for my 10' Griggio slider, I made up earlier this year, a pneumatic clamp that has made IMO my saw use much safer.

Even though I have always on the saw, the riving knife and guard, one of the more common accidents is a kickback. And that can still happen if a twisted or bowed sheet - which is harder to push through the saw while holding tight to the cross cut fence, and push the carriage at the same time.

With the clamp - which I made from a surplus two way cylinder, a 5 port 4 way valve and some fittings... and machined a bar and arm that allows mounting in one of the table slots - I have the push/pull control valve neatly mounted on the cross cut table extension. When pulled to make the cylinder go down (which has a 2 1/2" diameter sand paper backed plastic pad I also machined) there is about 140 PSI - several hundred lbs of force - holding the sheet firmly down so I can push the carriage with sheet past the blade and not have to worry about binding. Even with melamine you cannot budge the sheet once the clamp is activated.

[genek]

I know its larger than some of you have, but for my 10' Griggio slider, I made up earlier this year, a pneumatic clamp that has made IMO my saw use much safer.

Even though I have always on the saw, the riving knife and guard, one of the more common accidents is a kickback. And that can still happen if a twisted or bowed sheet - which is harder to push through the saw while holding tight to the cross cut fence, and push the carriage at the same time.

With the clamp - which I made from a surplus two way cylinder, a 5 port 4 way valve and some fittings... and machined a bar and arm that allows mounting in one of the table slots - I have the push/pull control valve neatly mounted on the cross cut table extension. When pulled to make the cylinder go down (which has a 2 1/2" diameter sand paper backed plastic pad I also machined) there is about 140 PSI - several hundred lbs of force - holding the sheet firmly down so I can push the carriage with sheet past the blade and not have to worry about binding. Even with melamine you cannot budge the sheet once the clamp is activated.
Andrew could you share some pictures... I have a sliding table also May want to make one for my table.

[Ajcoholic]

Andrew could you share some pictures... I have a sliding table also May want to make one for my table.

Sure Eugene..

The slider - I just got a cylinder off of ebay. I machined the 1 1/4" steel upright and tapped the end for a 1/2" threaded rod, which goes into a plate tapped to accept it. Turn the rod to tighen the upright to the table. The horizontal PC is a 1" by 2" or so PC of aluminum alloy - I can disconnect it quickly with the cam clamp if needed.

The control valve is a two position one for controlling the two way cylinder. Pull out to get the clamp to come down. Holds very well. push in to dissengauge.

It made sense for me to put it into my support arm. But you can mount the control where ever you wish.

Here are some photos...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2217_zpsd0cb9cc7.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2217_zpsd0cb9cc7.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2218_zps60103b78.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2218_zps60103b78.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2220_zps0fc57cdc.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2220_zps0fc57cdc.jpg.html)

I also use a pneumatic cam clamp on my cross slide fence I made up for my shaper to cut door rail tenons.

Same valve. Also works great. Much easier on the hands than the manual clamps for tenoning 80 or 100 rails for a kitchen set of doors.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2216_zps11c35fd7.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2216_zps11c35fd7.jpg.html)

[genek]

Sure Eugene..

The slider - I just got a cylinder off of ebay. I machined the 1 1/4" steel upright and tapped the end for a 1/2" threaded rod, which goes into a plate tapped to accept it. Turn the rod to tighen the upright to the table. The horizontal PC is a 1" by 2" or so PC of aluminum alloy - I can disconnect it quickly with the cam clamp if needed.

The control valve is a two position one for controlling the two way cylinder. Pull out to get the clamp to come down. Holds very well. push in to dissengauge.

It made sense for me to put it into my support arm. But you can mount the control where ever you wish.

Here are some photos...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2217_zpsd0cb9cc7.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2217_zpsd0cb9cc7.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2218_zps60103b78.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2218_zps60103b78.jpg.html)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2220_zps0fc57cdc.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2220_zps0fc57cdc.jpg.html)

I also use a pneumatic cam clamp on my cross slide fence I made up for my shaper to cut door rail tenons.

Same valve. Also works great. Much easier on the hands than the manual clamps for tenoning 80 or 100 rails for a kitchen set of doors.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j307/ajcoholic/IMG_2216_zps11c35fd7.jpg (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/ajcoholic/media/IMG_2216_zps11c35fd7.jpg.html)





Thanks Andrew... will have to make a set up like yours.

[kevin]

The real danger in a shop [SEE PHOTO] NOTICE NO GUARD you can cut your finger off look at it on the table and not believe it .Wood working is dangerous period
But the table saw gets a bad rap it like a shark bite they publicize it the odds of someone you know bitten by a shark is well high

We where re-sawing 3/8 thick by 3/4 wide we didn't fell the piece wasn't safe in the garbage but using push sticks

It takes skill and experience that money can't buy to operate equipment safely.

I hope your nephew is okay

[Xray]

Some stats from some years back, pretty staggering. No doubt has gotten worse since then with the proliferation of portable saws and non qualified do it yourself'ers


Based on the survey and the imputation of missing product data, the estimated total number
of hospital emergency department-treated injuries related to table/bench saws in the United
States during the calendar years 2007–2008 was 79,500.


2


• The injuries related to table/bench saws account for 78.0 percent of the survey-based
estimated total number of 101,900 injuries associated with all stationary saws (i.e.,
table/bench saws, band saws, radial arm saws, and miter saws).

• Of all injuries related to table/bench saws, the operator of the saw was the victim in 95.7
percent (76,100) of the cases. The estimated average age of the injured operators was 55.4
years, with the youngest at 11 years and the oldest at 95 years, and 97.2 percent of the
operators were male.

• Injuries to operators were due to contacting the blade in 88.0 percent of the cases, and when
blade contact caused the injury, the blade was contacted above the top of the cutting surface
in 56.9 percent of the cases.

• Lacerations (64.8 percent) followed by fractures (12.2 percent) and amputations (10.5
percent) were the most common forms of injuries to operators. Fingers (89.1 percent)
followed by hands (6.8 percent) were the body parts most frequently involved in the injuries.

• In 93.0 percent of the cases, the victim was examined/treated and released from the hospital,
and in 6.6 percent of the cases, the victim was treated and either admitted to the same
hospital or transferred to another hospital.

• A fixed cabinet saw was in use in the majority of the cases (68.7 percent), followed by a
semiportable contractor saw (18.3 percent), and a portable bench saw (10.5 percent). The
saw was owned by the operator’s household in 86.7 percent of the cases. When the saw was
owned, it was acquired new in 82.5 percent of the cases. In 76.7 percent of the cases, the operator used the saw more than 10 times during the previous year. The operator had an
owner’s manual in 64.1 percent of the cases.

• At the time of the injury, the saw did not have a safety switch in 78.7 percent of the cases,
and the saw blade was not protected by a blade guard in 65.7 percent of the cases. In most
cases, the blade guard was removed (75.0 percent) for operational convenience. A riving
knife was attached to the saw in 20.4 percent of the cases, and an anti-kickback pawl or
spreader assembly was attached to the saw in 24.4 percent of the cases.

• At the time of the injury, the saw was used for cutting a wooden board in 91.2 percent of the
cases. In most cases, the type of cutting operation performed was ripping along the length of
the stock (85.7 percent) and primarily for vertically straight cuts (94.7 percent). A rip blade
was in use in 70.0 percent of the cases of the injuries and, during the previous year, 67.4
percent of the operators used the saw mostly for ripping. A rip fence was in use at the time
of the injury in 85.3 percent of the cases.

• The motor was running in 94.5 percent of the cases at the time of the injury. About 67.1
percent of the injuries happened when the operator was actually cutting or in the middle of a
cut; and in 28.9 percent of the cases, injuries happened when the operator was at the end of
a cutting operation. The operator was pushing the stock in 76.7 percent of the cases at the
time of the injury, and a push stick was used in 35.6 percent of these cases.

• Overall, the stock kicked back or jumped in 40.5 percent of the cases. In 93.7 percent of the
cases in which the stock kicked back or jumped, the operator thought that the blade contact
was due to the stock kickback. When the stock kickback caused the injury, the operator’s
hand was pulled into the saw in 65.2 percent of the cases.

http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/118311/statsaws.pdf

[harryball]

Stats that make you think. So in 2 years there were 79,500 incidents. That's more than I would have expected.

[steve_g]

The average age of 55 for a table saw accident confirmed my suspicion that even though I’m a very experienced user, age has taken the edge off my skill set. The first “Saw Stop” was sold in 04’… I’d be curious to see if their penetration into the market has made a difference by 2014…
SG

[Xray]

The average age of 55 for a table saw accident confirmed my suspicion that even though I’m a very experienced user, age has taken the edge off my skill set. The first “Saw Stop” was sold in 04’… I’d be curious to see if their penetration into the market has made a difference by 2014…
SG

Could be that, or it could be that there are far more of the average age group 55 using table saws than any other age group. I would tend to think the latter.

I think complacency and ill advised procedures account for most accidents, and that can happen in any age group.
Take a look at the last incident on this page [graphic], guy was pushing through a board and there was a burr on the wood which prevented it from going flush on the fence.
http://tablesawaccidents.com/table-saw-injury-pictures.htm
This had happened to me many times, wood and thick plexiglass. I have not once tried to run it through or try to extract it while the saw was running like he did ,, In fact, I examine the edge for trueness before I even run it, if it has a protrusion I'll square it off straight before cutting it, at the cost of perhaps 1 minute.

If by chance I am in a great rush some day and decide I can't spare that minute and break my long established routine and procedure and run it through anyhow, thats when an accident is likely to happen.

I'm not saying that I never can or will be a victim of an accident because of my foresight, procedures , experience and knowledge, that would be complacency. Just the opposite, I am well aware of the potential with every cut I make ,,, There is alot of energy in motion when you power on a saw, and that energy can at any time be transferred onto or into your body instead of the wood if a wrong move is made.

[kevin]

With those number how many are professionals the accidents are shooting up because any body with a 100 can get a table saw

In all the shops I worked inclining my own its rare I've never seen one .That's 1000 of cuts .I don't want people to think in a professional shop where in constant danger GUYS are losing fingers
Also these hobby saws are dangerous because there under powered trying to cut rock maple .The saw i have didn't cost a fortune but it has 3 hp induction 220 volts we have a portable saw only used on install its a toy compared to the shop saw

I sure you write a book about table saw tune up

[kevin]

picture of my saw

[Ger21]

In all the shops I worked inclining my own its rare I've never seen one .That's 1000 of cuts .I don't want people to think in a professional shop where in constant danger GUYS are losing fingers

I agree 100%.
I've been working in high volume cabinet shops for the last 20 years. Most of that time in a shop with 4 table saws, and 15-20 guys. I've never seen anyone cut themselves. The only injury I've seen was a young kid ripping a small (but long) strip of maple. It kicked back and stuck 2" into his stomach. He probably had zero experience and shouldn't have been using the saw.

It appears that the majority of accidents in that list are due to kickback.
To me, that points to a lack of experience. I spend a little time on a hobby woodworking forum, where it seems that the general consensus is that it's only a matter of time until kickback will bite you. Everybody needs riving knives, and every safety device they can get their hands on. And yet you still read about injuries quite frequently there.

In my commercial environment, we don't use guards or riving knives. And yet in 20 years, I've never really seen any serious kickback incident.
Proper technique, and experience goes a long way towards minimizing any risks.

Unfortunately, it can take years of experience to learn the ins and outs of operating a table saw safely. Someone working by themselves at home would never learn a lot of tips that are passed down over the years.
I watched a video on Youtube yesterday, and was surprised taht the guy made it through the video with all his fingers. There are probably hundreds more of those videos. THe sad thing is that the learning experience a lot of these guys get is the one that takes off there fingers.

[Bob Eustace]

I took this thread as a wake up call so decided to do a refresher and watch some safety videos. I watched Norms two videos of basic saw safety. Now guess what! Not a riving knife in sight and not mentioned at all.

http://youtu.be/nkBE_xT-Dwo

[Xray]

With those number how many are professionals the accidents are shooting up because any body with a 100 can get a table saw

In all the shops I worked inclining my own its rare I've never seen one .That's 1000 of cuts .I don't want people to think in a professional shop where in constant danger GUYS are losing fingers
Also these hobby saws are dangerous because there under powered trying to cut rock maple .The saw i have didn't cost a fortune but it has 3 hp induction 220 volts we have a portable saw only used on install its a toy compared to the shop saw

I sure you write a book about table saw tune up

I agree too, I have been a journeyman union carpenter for over 15 years and have been on 100's of job sites both residential and industrial, I have only seen 1 serious table saw incident, and the guy it happened to was a disaster waiting to happen, I tried to get him off the saw but he refused, I didn't have the authority to bark out orders and he ended up slicing his hand in half 15 minutes after I tried to intervene.

Large table saws like yours are by default alot safer than smaller saws because larger material is less likely to kick back at you in the first place, and also your hands tend to be further away from the blade. Its really the smaller work pieces [and saws] that pose the largest danger, don't know if the stats I posted bear that out.
I love big saws like that, unfortunately for personal use I have a portable contractors saw, nice tool but I'm always on my guard when using it, and I use it alot.

[MogulTx]

I went out to buy new guards for my contractor's saw this week and the guards alone were $344! I was shocked at the cost- especially since it is not exactly fancy materials that you get in this set up!

Instead of buying the over-priced safety parts, I had the guys more money and get a nicer, new contractor's saw with modern guards. I would have liked to have bought a cabinet saw- but that will have to wait. We need more room to do that.

[hh_woodworking]

Several Years ago I had to buy an overhead guard and splitter for a Powermatic Saw 5hp. A 4th year student had removed the factory guard, to make a dado cut. He did not replace guard and was ripping a 1x2 down for trim.. It started to bind and float up, he used his hand to push the wood back to the table, lost the first joint of index finger. I was required to replace the guard with one that would not come off during use. The cost of the Overhead guard was $650.00, I ask the manufacture why it was so high because it wasn't for materials used to build it. The response that was given to me was $400.00 of the cost was for liability insurance. This was in 2000

[harryball]

Several Years ago I had to buy an overhead guard and splitter for a Powermatic Saw 5hp. A 4th year student had removed the factory guard, to make a dado cut. He did not replace guard and was ripping a 1x2 down for trim.. It started to bind and float up, he used his hand to push the wood back to the table, lost the first joint of index finger. I was required to replace the guard with one that would not come off during use. The cost of the Overhead guard was $650.00, I ask the manufacture why it was so high because it wasn't for materials used to build it. The response that was given to me was $400.00 of the cost was for liability insurance. This was in 2000


Yep, because you know somebody will buy one, never take it out of the box, get injured and then sue because it wasn't "self installing". May be thrown out, but it'll still cost them a bundle in legal fees.

Thinking about it... I wonder how much of the SawStop cost is liability insurance?

/RB

[Burkhardt]

Just realized again today you don't need a power tool to get hurt. Removing dryrot from a window frame I stabbed my thumb pretty deep with a chisel. Or to be more precise, I stabbed the innocent chisel that I held in my right hand with my left thumb when that hand slipped ripping a loose piece of wood. Fortunately there is a bone that stopped the chisel from going through. Oh well. 4 stitches and a few beer and I am almost over my stupidity. I am getting to be a good customer of Urgent Care. 3 weeks ago I was there to extract a massive 1/2" splinter from under my thumb nail (the other thumb) that got there while enthusiastically sanding a door. That hurt actually more than the chisel and made me think of using gloves. First real accident in 40 years of woodworking but I guess sometimes the luck is used up.