Power tools are in millions of American homes — and they send hundreds of thousands of people to the emergency room every year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that table saws alone averaged 29,000 emergency room-treated injuries per year from 1991 through 2000, with approximately 83 percent of those injuries involving direct blade contact. Power saws as a category accounted for an estimated 64,100 injuries in 2001 alone. The most common victims are experienced users who become complacent — not beginners.
Table Saw Hazards
Table saws are responsible for more injuries than any other type of stationary power saw — approximately 73 percent of all stationary saw injuries. The vast majority involve blade contact, typically occurring when the user’s hand slips or is pulled toward the blade, or when the material being cut kicks back unexpectedly. Kickback occurs when a piece of wood is caught by the rear of the spinning blade and thrown back at high speed toward the operator, causing severe lacerations or worse.
Safety Tips for Table Saws
- Always use the blade guard for through cuts. Never remove or disable it.
- Use a push stick when cutting small pieces to keep hands away from the blade.
- Never stand directly in line with the blade — stand to the side to avoid injury if kickback occurs.
- Use a riving knife or spreader to prevent the wood from closing on the rear of the blade and causing kickback.
- Use anti-kickback devices where available.
- Never reach over or behind the blade while it is spinning.
- Wear snug-fitting clothing and remove jewelry that could get caught in the tool.
- Always wear safety goggles to protect eyes from flying debris.
General Power Tool Safety
- Read and follow all instructions in the owner’s manual before using any power tool.
- Inspect power tools before each use for damage, frayed cords, or missing guards.
- Never use power tools in damp or wet conditions.
- Keep cords away from heat, oil, and sharp edges. Never carry a tool by its cord.
- Keep bystanders and children away from the work area at all times.
- Never use power tools after consuming alcohol or medication that may impair judgment.
- Use the right tool for the job — improvising with the wrong tool increases the risk of injury significantly.
- Keep all power tool guards in place and properly adjusted.
Nail Gun Safety
Nail guns are among the most frequently involved power tools in serious injuries. Key safety rules include:
- Never carry a nail gun with your finger on the trigger.
- Always point the nail gun away from people.
- Do not use a nail gun as a substitute for a hammer to drive nails flush — use the correct tool.
- Be aware that nails can penetrate through drywall or thin materials and injure someone on the other side.
To report a dangerous power tool or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
Source: https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws–Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Table-Saws
