Table Saw Safety Rules

• Special training is required before using the table saw. You may not operate it without permission from a shop technician.
• Stand to one side, never directly in line with, of work being fed through the saw.
• Use the proper blade for the material and type of cut. Do not use a rip blade for cross cutting, or, a crosscut blade for rip sawing. Do not use a plywood blade for anything but plywood.
• Inspect the blade before using it, to make sure it is the proper blade and is sharp and free from cracks.
• Never allow your fingers to get near the blade when sawing. Use a pusher stick to rip narrow pieces of stock. Don't use pusher stick to remove scrap. For scrap removal, shut off machine and wait until blade stops, then remove scraps.
• Appropriate guards must be in place at all times. Never remove the guard. Ask one of the shop personnel for help if you think the guard is in the way.
• If the piece of material you are cutting is large, get someone to assist in tailing-off for you. Never try to do it alone. Tailing off refers to supporting a large workpiece by supporting it underneath with your hands.
• If you are tailing-off for someone else let them guide the work through the saw. You should just support the work without influencing the cut.
• Never reach over the saw to obtain something from the other side.
• When shutting off the power, never attempt to stop the saw quickly by shoving anything against the blade. Make sure the saw has stopped before leaving it.
• Never make any adjustments to the saw while it is running. Turn off the power and make sure the saw is completely stopped before attempting to adjust it.
• Do not allow material to collect on or around the saw table. Sweep up sawdust and material scraps regularly while working to minimize chances of slipping or stumbling.
• Make sure that you clean up thoroughly around the saw before leaving the area. If you don't you could be the cause of someone else having an accident.
• The circular blade of the table saw should be set to 1/8 inch above the work.

Safety goes beyond a set of information and rules to memorize. Safety is a culture. You live it by learning it, and learn it by living it ... so that you and others can go on living. SAFETY is very important!