WAC 296-806-48006

Band saw safety

Objectives

We will be reviewing parts of WISHA rules on Machine Safeguarding – WAC 296-806.

You’ll learn:• hazards of operating a band saw• general machine safety rules• rules specific to saws and• rules specific to band saws

Common Hazards

The operator is required to hand-feed and manipulate the stock against the blade saw along a predetermined line. The operator must also keep the stock flat on the work table and exert the proper cutting pressure. This machine is usually considered a manual feed tool.

Safety Hazards of Band Saws

• Point of operation - Contact with the moving blade may occur.

• In-running nip points - Clothing, hair, or hands may be caught by and pulled into feed rolls or the pulley mechanism.

• Kickbacks - Stock caught by the blade may be thrown back at the operator.

• Flying Chips - Wood chips and splinters may be thrown by the cutting action of the blade.

•Struck by – Broken saw blades may fly out and strike employee.

General machine safety

This section contains the general requirements for equipment including:

• Securing machinery - Secure machines designed tostay in one place.

• Slipping hazards - Protect employees from slipping hazards.

• Arrange work areas to avoid creating hazards – Make sure there is adequate space around machinery so employees can clean and handle material without interference from other workers or machine, do not have to stand in the way of passing traffic and bring in and remove materials safely.

General machine safety

• Operating controls – must be provided on each machine that stop the machine and that can be reached by the operator without leaving the operator’s position. Also make sure that the operator can easily reach all machine controls without reaching into a hazard area of the machine.

• Unintentional machine operation - Protect employees by ensuring that foot-operated controls are located or guarded from being unintentionally moved to the “on” position. Also make sure that machines will not automatically restart when power is restored after a power failure (if restarting would create a hazard for employees).

General machine safety

• Emergency stop controls – if required, must meet all of these criteria:

• Be red in color

• Be easily reachable from the operator’s normal work position

• Be kept in good working order

• Have to be manually reset before a machine can be restarted

• Control machine vibration – prevent excessive machine vibration

• Prevent overspeed conditions – Operate tools and equipment within their rated speed.

General machine safety

• Hand feeding and retrieval tools – Make sure hand feeding and retrieval tools meet the following requirements:

• are suitable for the work to be done

• don’t create a hazard when used

• are of a size and shape that will keep the operator’s hands outside the hazardous area

• are constructed so that they won’t shatter if they come in contact with the machine tool

NOTE: Tools such as push sticks or push blocks can not be used instead of required safeguarding unless a specific machine requirement allows it.

General machine safety

• Adjusting or repairing machinery – Make sure power-driven machinery is completely stopped before either making adjustments or repairs or removing material or refuse from the machine

• Power transmission parts - inspect them and keep them in good condition

• Protect employees lubricating moving machinery – by providing tools such as oil can or grease guns to keep employees’ hands out of hazardous areas and by requiring employees to wear closely fitted clothing.

General requirements for all saws

Applies to all materials and to all employers. No longer separated into wood and metal. Now it also applies to plastics, composites and other materials.

General requirements for all saws

• Make sure people who sharpen or tension saw blades have demonstrated skill in this area

• Make sure saws are safe to use - This means removing from service a saw that has any of the following problems:

• Cracked• Dull• Badly set• Improperly filed• Improperly tensioned

• Clean any saw where gum has begun to stick on the sides

• Eliminate unintended fence and table movement during use

• Keep hinged tables and fences firmly secured and in true alignment for all positions

Specific to band saws

Fully enclose band saw wheels with wheel guards that meet both of the following requirements:

– The outside periphery of the wheel enclosure is solid

and

– The front and back of the wheels are enclosed by solid material, wire mesh, or perforated metal.

WAC 296-806-48042

Specific to Bandsaws (continued)

Enclose or guard all portions of the blade except for the working portion of the blade between the guide rolls and the table.

Make sure the guard for the portion of the blade between the sliding guide and the wheel guard meets these requirements: – Protects the front and outer side of the blade – Is self-adjusting to move with the guide – Adjusts so the gap between the guide rolls and stock is as small as is practical.

WAC 296-806-48042

Sources of Help

• WAC 296-806

• WAC 296-803, Lockout/Tagout

• OSHA Machine Guarding eTool

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

• National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)

• L&I Machine Safeguarding Data Bank (available 02/2005)

• www.lni.wa.gov/Safety

• Dept. of Labor & Industries

• 1-800-4BE-SAFE

Web addresses

• www.lni.wa.gov/Safety

• www.IdeaBanks.lni.wa.govThe Machine Safeguarding Ideas Bank was launched in February 2005. It contains ideas to help employers find different ways of safeguarding their equipment.

• www.osha.gov

• www.ansi.org

Thank you for taking the time interest to learn about safety and health and how to prevent injuries and illnesses.