Woodworking Machinery Safety

Power, restart and repairs

• Each machine has a power control the operator can reach to cut power without leaving the point of operation.
• Where a restart after a power failure could injure the operator, machines must not restart automatically when power returns.
• Electric machines have a positive means to make the controls inoperative during repairs or adjustments.
• Do not mount a saw, cutter head or collar on an arbor unless it has been accurately machined to fit the arbor.
• Featherboards or jigs are provided for work where a standard guard cannot be used, such as dadoing, grooving, jointing, moulding and rabbeting.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.213(a)(14) · 29 CFR 1910.213(a)(15) · 29 CFR 1910.213(b)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.213(b)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.213(b)(5)

Table saw hoods, spreaders and nonkickback fingers

On hand-fed circular ripsaws:

• A hood completely encloses the saw above the table and above the material, adjusts to the stock thickness and stays in contact with it.
• A spreader keeps the material from squeezing the saw or being thrown back at the operator. It is not required for grooving, dadoing or rabbeting, but must be replaced immediately when those operations are done.
• Nonkickback fingers or dogs oppose the saw's tendency to throw material back toward the operator.

Circular crosscut table saws need the same kind of hood. Where the saw below or behind the table could be contacted, it is covered by an exhaust hood or guard.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.213(a)(12) · 29 CFR 1910.213(c)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.213(c)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.213(c)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.213(d)(1)

Radial arm saws

• The upper hood encloses the upper blade down to the end of the arbor, and the lower blade sides are guarded by a device that adjusts to the stock.
• An adjustable stop keeps the blade from traveling forward beyond what is needed in repetitive cuts.
• The unit is installed with the front slightly higher than the rear so the cutting head returns gently to the start position when released.
• Radial saws used for ripping have nonkickback fingers on both sides. Ripping and ploughing are done against the direction the saw turns, and the rotation direction is marked on the hood, with a warning label not to rip or plough from the rear.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.213(h)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.213(h)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.213(h)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.213(h)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.213(h)(5)

Bandsaws, jointers, shapers and sanders

• Bandsaws: all of the blade is enclosed or guarded except the working portion between the bottom of the guide rolls and the table, and the wheels are fully encased.
• Jointers (hand-fed, horizontal head): an automatic guard covers the cutting head on the working side of the fence and keeps hands off the knives; another guard covers the head behind the fence. Rear table clearance to the cutter head is not more than 1/8 inch, and knives do not protrude more than 1/8 inch.
• Shapers: cutting heads are enclosed with a cage or adjustable guard. A leather or similar warning device on the spindle is not acceptable.
• Belt sanders have guards at each nip point where the belt runs onto a pulley.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.213(i)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.213(m)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.213(p)(4) · 29 CFR 1910.213(s)(12) · 29 CFR 1910.213(j)(2) · 29 CFR 1910.213(j)(3) · 29 CFR 1910.213(j)(4)

Push sticks and saw condition

• Push sticks or push blocks in sizes and types suitable for the work are provided at the workplace.
• Remove dull, badly set, improperly filed or improperly tensioned saws from service immediately, before they cause stock to stick, jam or kick back.
• Clean saws with gum on the sides immediately.
• Remove cracked saws from service.
• Only people of demonstrated skill sharpen or tension blades and cutters.
• Keep the area around machines clean so guards work and fire hazards in switches, bearings and motors are prevented.

Reference: 29 CFR 1910.213(s)(1) · 29 CFR 1910.213(s)(5) · 29 CFR 1910.213(s)(7) · 29 CFR 1910.213(s)(9) · 29 CFR 1910.213(s)(6)

Common test questions

Should a radial saw's cutter head return to the rear of the table when released?

True - it must be installed so the head returns gently to the start position when released.

Rule: 29 CFR 1910.213(h)

Practice these in the course