Let’s dive into the world of Circular Saw Safety. These tools pack a serious punch, as a standard 15 amp circular saw commonly spins at over 5,000 RPMs! Unlike miter saws, portable circular saws lack a set cut path, making them prone to bucking and binding. It’s crucial to grasp the potential dangers tied to these tools and learn safe handling of circular saws
Cutting Safely with Circular Saws
1. Clearing the Path
A spinning saw blade can cut off your fingers in an instant. Avoid this unpleasant experience by keeping your body clear of the cut path at all times (front and rear). Secure your piece with clamps whenever possible and don’t place your hands beneath a cutting surface. If cutting on ground level, check that your feet are clear of the cutting path. Another tip for circular saw safety is to check the power cord, making sure it is clear of the cutting path and that it has enough slack to avoid snagging during the duration of the cut. Snagged power cords can twist the saw and cause blade binding (see below).
2. Avoid Blade Binding
Blade Binding occurs when too much pressure is applied to the blade. Blade binding causes saw kickback. Properly supporting your piece will keep material from collapsing on the blade. Shorter tails can be safely cut by cantilevering them off the bench. Longer tails may apply torque to the blade as they are cut and should be blocked / supported. Setting proper blade depth can help reduce pressure applied to the blade and prevent contact with the surface under your piece when cutting with a circular saw.
3. Retracting the saw after cutting
It is best practice to wait for the blade to stop spinning after a cut before removing the saw. Removing the saw with a spinning blade can also cause binding and kickback in some instances. Avoid setting the saw blade – down, thereby ensuring it doesn’t “run away” if it turns on. It is safest to set the saw upside down or in the open case. Setting the saw in the case is safe and protects against scratches. Concrete and rocks will scratch the plate and cause it to scratch whatever it is cutting.
Other Circular Saw Safety Tips
1. Circular Saw Blade Guards
Blade guards are an essential safety feature that spring over the blade after the cut. Removing or pinning back the guard over a 5000 RPM blade is an extremely bad idea. It is also an OSHA violation. There are many ways a saw could be inadvertently turned on: accidentally pressing the trigger, catching the trigger, objects falling on the trigger, even a failed switch! If any of these things happen, the guard would be the only thing between you and serious injury or death!
2. Trigger Discipline
Treat trigger discipline the same way you would treat a firearm. Never place you finger on the trigger until you are ready to cut.
Conclusion
We all know circular saws are extremely common on most construction projects. Its easy to get complacent and forget the danger they pose to our safety. Make a commitment to protect yourself and your co workers by respecting the power of circular saws and adhering to circular saw safety measures.