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Guarded radial saw |
Radial saws are circular saws that cut downward, either with or
against the wood grain (rip or crosscut). Radial saws have
features that make them more versatile than table saws. The saw
arm can be raised and lowered and swung from side to side to
adjust the depth and horizontal angle of the cut. The blade can
also be
replaced with shaping cutters, disks, or drum sanders and other
accessories.
Operator Involvement
For crosscutting, the operator pushes the wood away
from himself or herself against a fence. For rip cuts, the blade is set parallel
to the fence, and the stock is pushed through. The saw blade
rotates upward toward the operator, who feeds the stock in the
opposite direction of the blade movement.
| Point
of Operation |
Potential Hazard:
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Contact with the turning blade
may occur.
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If the saw blade is able to go past the
edge of the table, the blade could come in contact with
the operator's body.
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Material may move during cuts.
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Guarded radial saw
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Solutions:
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Enclose the upper half of the saw (from the blade
down to the end of the saw arbor) with a fixed hood.
Guard the lower half with a self-adjusting, floating
guard that rises and falls and automatically adjusts
to the thickness of the stock. [1910.213(h)(1)]
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Make sure the saw has a return device. The front
end of the unit must be slightly higher than the
rear, so that the cutting head will return to its
original position when released by the operator.
This must also prevent the cutting head from
rolling or moving the arm due to gravity or
vibration. [1910.213(h)(4)]
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Unguarded lower blade and
arbor end of radial saw
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Install an adjustable stop to limit forward
travel distance of the blade during repeat cuts. [1910.213(h)(3)]
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Use limit chains or other effective
means (for example, extend the table edge) to keep saw from
moving beyond the front or back edge of the table. [1910.213(g)(3)
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Additional Safety Measures
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Securely fasten material to avoid unwanted
movement during cuts.
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Measure boards against a stop gauge or turn off
the saw if measuring by rule. Wait for the blade to
stop before moving materials or making measurements.
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| Kickbacks |
Potential Hazard:
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Stock caught in the blade or fed in
the wrong direction may be thrown
back at the operator.
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Guarded radial saw
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Solutions:
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For ripping, install non-kickback fingers on both
sides of the saw blade. [1910.213(h)(2)]
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Use a spreader in ripping operations to prevent
the cut in the wood from immediately closing and
binding the blade. [1910.213(h)(2)]
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Make sure that stock is in the correct direction.
Post a warning label on the hood showing the
direction of saw rotation. [1910.213(h)(5)]
Additional Safety Measures
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During crosscutting, operate the saw from the side
of the table with the handle.
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| Flying
Particles |
Potential Hazard:
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The cutting action of the blade may throw wood chips,
splinters, and broken saw teeth.
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Guarded radial saw
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Solutions:
Additional Safety Measures
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During crosscutting, operate the saw from the side
of the table with the handle.
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Always wear eye and face protection.
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