Hand-Held Power Circular Saw
| Purpose |
Outlining the protective measures required to safely operate a hand-held circular power saw during the construction of wood-frame homes. |
| Definition |
A hand-held circular saw is a portable electric or battery-operated power tool using a round rotating blade. |
| Hazards
This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.
|
Physical:
- Cuts/Lacerations – contact with blade or kickback
- Amputations – contact with blade or kickback
- Noise
- Electric shock
- Flying debris
- Fire hazard
- Strain/Sprain
- Respiratory issues
|
| Controls |
Engineering:
- Blade guard
- 3-prong grounded cord
Administrative:
- Cord management (kept away from cutting path)
- Proper material support
- Training
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Task-Specific PPE: Safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and dust mask or respirator (if the cutting materials are producing dust)
|
| Work Site Supervisory Responsibility |
Do
- Confirm saws are only used for their intended purpose and material type.
- During inspections, ensure all guards, cords and blades are in safe working condition.
- Ensure defective equipment is tagged and removed from use.
- Enforce the use of PPE during cutting operations.
- Verify Workers maintain good housekeeping in the work area.
Do not
- Permit untrained Workers to operate hand-held circular saws.
- Allow Workers to use saws with defective guards, blades or cords.
- Allow cutting in wet or unsafe condition.
|
| Worker Responsibility |
Do
- Inspect the saw before each use.
- Check the stock for foreign objects, such as nails or screws.
- Secure the material and maintain a firm grip on the tool.
- Use a solid support, such as sawhorses, when cutting.
- Ensure all cords are clear of the cutting area before starting to cut.
- Disconnect the power supply before making any adjustments to the saw or changing the blade.
- Stand to the side of the tool/cutting line when cutting.
- Wear adequate PPE for the task, eye and hearing protection at a minimum.
- Ensure the blade guard is engaged/down before starting the saw.
Do not
- Support the material to be cut on yourself or others.
- Wear jewelry, loose-fitting clothing or unsecured long hair, which can be caught into the saw.
- Make any adjustments or blade changes while the saw is energised.
- Operate the saw without the guards in place.
- Use a dull, damaged or wrong size of blade.
- Start the saw while the blade is in contact with the material.
- Operate the saw one handed.
- Attempt to cut materials that the saw is incompatible with.
- Use a saw with damaged cords (for electric saws).
|
