Table Saw

Table Saw Safety Rules - Jefferson County Public Schools

1. Operate only with instructor's permisson and after you have received instruction. Inform the instructor if the machine is not operating correctly.

2. Remove jewelry, eliminate loose clothing, and confine long hair.

3. Make sure all guards are in place and operating correctly.

4. Always use proper eye protection and avoid distractions.

5. Make all adjustments and remove scraps with the machine at a dead stop (completely stopped).

6. Select proper blade and set at correct height (1/8 inch maximum above the thickness of the wood).

7. Use the rip fence when ripping stock (wood) and miter gauge when cross cutting stock. Instructor approval required for all other setups. Never freehand cut any work.

8. Use a push stick when ripping narrow stock or when hands would be close to the blade. Be sure push stick will clear guard before turning on the machine.

9. Use extra care and caution when using a dado or molding cutting head (blades). Secure the instructor's approval when using these.

10. When sawing large pieces of material, be certain that a helper only supports the material, but does not help guide it or pull it into the blade.

11. To keep the work from twisting or bending in the saw, the edge being run against the ripping fence or held against the miter gauge should be joined or planed straight and square.

12. When setting up to cut angles on a tilting arbor saw, be sure that the bade will clear the fence and the throat plate (table insert) before turning on the power.

13. When ripping stock shorter than 12" in length, you should secure the instructor's approval.

14. Secure the instructor's approval and/or supervision when re-sawing (splitting the wood into two thinner pieces) on the table saw, as this usually has to be done without the guard.

15. Make sure that no one but the operator is inside the operator safety zone ( the area next to the table saw).

16. Stand to one side rather than directly in line with the blade.

17. Do not cut round stock on this machine.

18. Make certain that there are no loose knots, nails, or other foreign matter in the line with the cut.

19. Before leaving the table saw: turn off the power, return the blade to 90 degree postion, lower the blade, and clear all scraps.