In the world of construction, you should consider reviewing how you make use of equipment to curb unnecessary accidents. You should do this when you are either a seasoned construction technician or a novice. It does not matter the kind of circular saw you have, remember they are used very close to your body and this is capable of causing great danger. The following tips are from OSHA and we hope that they shall be of great help.
9 Essential Circular Saw Safety Tips You Should Know
Put on safety equipment before handling the saw
It is not only with a circular saw that you need to do this but also when handling any tool that is run by power. This is one of the most crucial tips you need to follow.
Ranging from a respirator, goggles to hearing protection, this equipment is necessary to help you in several ways. Your ears do not noise that is too loud. Goggles will protect you from dust that comes as you cut. You also need a respirator to protect your lungs from the harmful dust. At this point, you are good to go.
Do a saw check
To check whether your saw is working well, check all its parts. The first part you need to check is the lower guard. Check whether it is retracting and recovering as required. This is the largest safety gadget installed in the circular saw. Therefore, strictly ensure that it is not faulty.
Before you start checking, ensure that you have unplugged your saw. Also, check whether the lower guard is freely working. If your machine is using a cordless battery, first remove the battery. This is to ensure that you don’t switch it on while checking.
Learn to hold it properly
Circular saw machine for wood cutting and worm drive saws are the most popular among circular saws. There are those that are held by the left hand while others are held by the right hand. These are specially made for lefties and righties respectively. This is how it works, the right-hand holds the right handle while the left holds the auxiliary handle and the arms do not cross. For lefties, the auxiliary handle should be held by the right hand while the main handle has the left hand.
Right-hand saws are normally sidewinders while left-hand saws are normally worm drive. Worm drive saws produce a high torque. However, some individuals also prefer sidewinders.
Do not position yourself awkwardly while using any of these types. Always learn to operate the saws properly regardless of which saw you are using.
Use a safe depth of cut settings
Check on the board thickness and set on the saw how deep you are going to cut. Do not make the blade extend below the board you are cutting. Do not let the blade tooth go beyond 1/8 inch below the board. You are going to achieve an accurate and safe cut if you follow these instructions.
Before cutting with a circular saw, you have to set the depth of cut to match the thickness of the board you’re trying to cut.
Only use sharp blades
Your work is basically to direct the saw and not pushing or forcing it through the cut line. If you discover that you are using too much energy on your saw or you push it every time, your blade is automatically dull. Sharpen your blades regularly to prevent too much energy that is used as a result of blunt blades. Sharp blades make work safer and lighter.
Unplug the saw when not in use
Once you are through with the saw, unplug it from the power socket. It is not advisable to leave the saw plugged because it may cause unnecessary accidents. You may trip over and mistakenly switch it on or any other unsuspecting fellow.
If yours is using a cordless battery, remove the battery if you are done with your saw. Swapping out of blades also takes the same rule. Always remove it from the power when you want to swap out those blades that are worn out or dull. Do not attempt to swap of blades if your saw in plugged on the power socket or when it has a cordless battery inside.
Never use a defective saw
Ensure your saw is running as usual. If not, do not use it on any board. The way to discover this is by switching it on without necessarily having to cut anything and you will notice a strange vibration from the saw. If such a strange vibration is detected, switch it off, unplug it from power and go straight to a technician for immediate checking and servicing.
Do not overreach
Reaping boards that are long using your circular saw can sometimes be tricky and hectic. Cutting more than you can reach is not recommended. Struggling to reach the end of a longboard will be dangerous. It is not acceptable to raise your leg to get to the end.
This is very wrong. Footing should always be balanced. Remember to hold your saw with two hands all the time. This will ensure a steady cut.
Keep live cords out of the way
Always treat this as an obvious principle. Do not cut a live cord because you may be electrocuted. The cutting area should be cleared and therefore, keep all live chords away. Many accidents occur as a result of negligence.
Conclusion
Powered saws are among the trending saws in the new construction industry. Once you purchase a circular saw, ensure you get the best saw that has a lower guard that is faulty. All in all, make sure you observe safety or precautionary measures that cut across the board for all types of saws. Any powered saw, whether run by electricity or a corded battery, should be handled with a lot of care.