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A hand-held saw is portable and requires only the users hands to
operate. Hand-held saws can be powered or manual. Powered
hand-held saws have a greater potential to be dangerous.
Operator Involvement
When using powered saws, the operator is responsible for holding the
saw correctly and depressing the pressure control (trigger). The
operator then maneuvers the saw according to how the stock is
to be cut. Once the task is completed, the operator's finger is
removed from the trigger to stop the motor.
Regulations for basic powered handheld saws fall into two categories:
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Powered handheld saw
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Manual handheld saw
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| Circular
Saws |
Handheld Circular Saws
Circular saws are used for straight sawing.
Depending on the blade, they cut either
across (crosscut) or with
(rip) the grain of the wood.
Operator Involvement
The operator adjusts the height of the blade and,
while holding the stock, pushes the blade through the work piece
to perform the cut.
Potential Hazard:
- Contact with the turning blade.
Solutions:
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Portable circular saws must have an upper guard
that covers the entire blade of
the saw and a
retractable lower guard. [1926.304(d)]
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Hand-held circular, reciprocating, saber, scroll,
and jig saws with blades greater than one-fourth
inch must be equipped with a constant-pressure
control. [1926.304(f)]
Additional Safety Measures
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When using a hand-held saw, the blade should be
directed away from the aisle and any people who are
in close proximity to the saw.
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Use the proper blade for the material being cut.
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Maintain sharp blades.
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Always wear eye and face protection.
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Circular handheld saw in use
Portable circular saw
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| Jig
Saws |
Handheld
Jig Saws
Handheld jig saws are useful for precision-cutting, intricate
curves and patterns in thin stock. They have thin blades that move
rapidly up and down. The blade is held in upper and lower chucks
that pull it tight and keep it from bending.
Handheld jig saws are generally not considered to be as
dangerous as other saws, however, contact at the point of
operation can cause hand and finger injuries. Contact with the
blade can also occur below the stock being cut. All portions of
the blade must be guarded.
Operator Involvement
The operator is responsible for
holding the jig saw with one hand while the other hand is used to
secure the stock. A trigger is depressed and the saw is
moved over the stock as the blade cuts through the material. The trigger must be held throughout the entire cutting process.
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Handheld jig saw |
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| Point
of Operation |
Potential Hazard:
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Contact with the moving blade may
occur.
Solution:
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Guard the blade with an adjustable
or self-adjusting guard both above and below the
stock being cut. [1910.213(r)(4)]
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| Flying
Particles |
Potential Hazard:
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Wood chips and splinters may be thrown
by the cutting action.
Solution:
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Guard the blade with an adjustable
or self-adjusting guard as necessary.
[1910.213(r)(4)]
Additional Safety Measures
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Use the proper size of blade for the work being
done.
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Make turns slowly. Do not make sharp turns with a
wide blade; use a narrow blade for sharp turns.
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Always wear eye and face protection.
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Wear guard (for example, mesh gloves,
metal guards) on the free hand to protect it from
flying particles.
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Portable jig saw in use
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