T
ABLE
S
AW
V
IDEO
S
AFETY
L
ESSON
P
LAN
1. Introduce the video by instructing the class that it covers a variety of cuts and safety rules for making
these cuts.
Subjects covered in the video are:
• It takes just a split second for a mistake to result in an accident and possible serious injury.
• Proper preparation.
• Saw set-up.
• Cross cutting.
• Miter cuts.
• Rip sawing.
• Bevel rip cutting.
• Dado cutting.
• Groove cutting.
• Rabbet cuts.
• Plunge cuts.
• Major causes of kick back.
• Rules for avoiding kick back and accidental contact with the blade.
2. Encourage the students to note the main points in each section.
3. Show the video.
4. Have the class recount as many of the safety rules as they can.
5. Use the outline provided here to fill in any of the points they missed.
6. Show the video a second time. There is a lot of material to absorb.
It takes just a split second for a mistake to result in an accident and possible
serious injury.
Proper Preparation
Completely read and understand the instruction
manual and safety warning labels.
Properly set up workspace.
• Well lit
• Free of bystanders and pets.
• Clean and dry – free of clutter.
• Floors that are not slippery.
• UL listed extension cord of the proper gauge
and in good condition.
• Extension cord away from water and not
creating a tripping hazard.
• Extension cord plug compatible with electric
socket.
Operator
• No loose fitting clothing.
• No loose jewelry or neckties.
• Long sleeves rolled up.
• Long hair tied back.
• Non-skid closed toe shoes, safety glasses and
dust mask.
• No drugs, alcohol or prescription drugs.
Saw Set-Up
• Saw fastened down so it can’t slide or tip over.
• All saw parts in good working order.
• Blade guard properly installed.
• Saw table clear of any wood scraps or tools.
• Power switch in off position before plugging in
the saw.
Making Common Cuts
Cross Cutting – Cutting across the grain of the
wood.
• Use the miter gauge to hold the work piece
•
Never use the rip fence as a stop or length
gauge.
•
If the work piece is too small to be safely
supported by the miter gauge, use a wood
facing attached jig or fixture in order to keep
your fingers away from the blade.
Miter Cuts – Cross cuts other than 90º using the
miter gauge.
Rip Sawing – Cutting with the grain of the wood.
• Rip fence is used to control the width of the cut.
• Make sure rip fence is parallel to the blade and
securely locked in place.
• Always apply feed force to the portion of the
work piece between the saw blade and the rip
fence.
• Never push the work piece into the side of the
blade.
Bevel Rip Cutting
• Always locate fence away from the blade tilt.
• Always apply feed force between blade and
fence.
• Never rip cut a work piece that is twisted,
warped or does not have a straight edge.
• Keep your fingers at least 6” from the blade by
using push sticks.
Dado Cutting – Cuts grooves across the work piece.
Groove Cutting – Cuts groove down the length of
the work piece.
• Feather boards should be used to hold the work
piece down.
Rabbet Cuts – A step like cut on the end of edge of
a work piece.
Plunge Cuts – Cuts initiated inside of the work
piece.
• Never attempt to plunge cut by placing the
work piece down on a spinning blade.
• With the work piece in place bring the spinning
saw blade up from beneath the table.
• Pay attention to the proximity of your fingers to
the blade.
AFTER COMPLETING CUTS WHERE THE
GUARD IS REMOVED ALWAYS UNPLUG
THE SAW AND REPLACE THE GUARD. DO
NOT ASSUME THAT YOU OR ANOTHER
USER WILL DO THIS LATER.
Major Causes of Kick Back
• Improper alignment of the fence to blade.
• Improper support of the work piece.
• A twisted or warped work piece.
• A dull or damaged blade.
• Overly aggressive work piece feeding.
Simple Rules for Avoiding Kick Back and
Accidental Contact with the Blade
• Do not try to cut large sheets that you cannot
guide with the fence or miter gauge.
• Never cut more than one work piece at a time.
• When cutting always stand to one side and
never directly in line with the blade.
• Never position your hands or fingers in the path
of the saw blade.
• Never pull the work piece to finish the cut.
• Always use the blade guard, splitter and anti-
kickback pawls for through cutting operations.
• Never cut freehand. Use the rip fence for rip
cuts and the miter gauge for cross cuts.
• Never use the miter gauge and rip fence
together.
• Do not release the work piece until it has been
pushed completely past the saw blade.
• Never reach behind or over the saw blade while
it is spinning.
• Do not remove cut offs, scrap or the work piece
from the table until the saw blade has come to a
complete stop. Coasting saw blades can cause
serious injuries.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s
maintenance recommendations.
1300 Sumner Avenue · Cleveland, OH 44115 · Phone (216) 241-7333 · Fax (216) 241-0105
E-mail: pti@powertoolinstitute.com · URL: www.powertoolinstitute.com
