______
Two types of portable band saws are used at Staff Electric for cutting conduit and other materials: Milwaukee Electric Portable Band Saw Model 6225 and the Porter Cable Porta-band Model 725. It is important to understand how to operate these tools safely to prevent electric shock, fire and/or serious personal injury.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
WORK AREA
1.Keep your work area clean and well lit. Conduit stubs on the floor, metal studs, drywall and other debris and dark areas invite accidents.
2.Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Power tools create sparks, which may ignite the dust or fumes.
3.Keep bystanders, and visitors away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
1.The tool must be plugged into a GFCI receptacle. Use your personal 3-way GFCI extension cord if plugged into permanent building power without GFCI protection. Inspect the power cord before use.
2.Don’t expose power tools to rain or wet conditions.Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of electric shock.
3.Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord to carry the tools or pull the plug from a receptacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil, and sharp edges like metal studs or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately.
PERSONAL SAFETY
1.Stay alert and watch what you are doing while operating the band saw. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
2.Always wear your hardhat and safety glasses when operating band saws. Dust mask respirators are available for dusty conditions. See your foreman.
3.Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry while operating a band saw because they can get caught in moving parts. Keep long hair tied back and contained within your hard hat.
TOOLS USE AND CARE
1.Keep guards in place and in working order. Report defective or damaged equipment to your foreman.
2.Secure the work piece. Use clamps, vise or other practical way to secure and support the work piece to a stable platform.Holding the work by hand or against your body is unstable and may lead to loss of control.
3.Keep hands clear of cutting area. Hold the tool by it’s insulated handles during cutting.
4.Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
5.Stay clear of pieces that may fall after being cut.
6.Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool ON.A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.
7.Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is OFF before plugging in. Carrying tools with your finger on the switch or plugging in tools that have the switch ON invites accidents.
8.Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your application.The correct tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed.
9.Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments, changing accessories, cleaning or storing the tool. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally.
10.Maintain tools with care. Keep blades sharp and clean.Properly maintained tools, with sharp cutting edges are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
11.Return idle tools to the gang box and keep away from other untrained persons.
12.Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model.Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may become hazardous when used on another tool.
13.Never use a coolant with portable band saws.
14.Some wood contains preservatives, which can be toxic. Take extra care to prevent inhalation and skin contact when working with these materials.
BLADE SELECTION
Select a blade that will allow at least two teeth to be engaged in the material thickness. Use a fine teeth blade for thin or hard material. Use a coarse teeth blade for thicker or softer material.
BLADE CHANGING
Disconnect the band saw from power source before removing or installing blades. Turn the handle to release tension on the blade. To remove the blade, first remove the blade from the pulleys and then from the blade guide.
Before installing a blade, clean chips and wax that may have accumulated on blade guides and pulley tires. To install blade, insert blade in blade guides and then position on pulleys. Make sure teeth on left side of saw point toward the rear of the saw. Turn handle to place tension on saw blade. Start and stop saw two or three times to seat blade on pulleys.
HOW TO USE A PORTABLE BAND SAW
1.Verify material to be cut is secure to prevent movement.
2.Keep blade off the work until motor has been started.
3.Cut on a surface where the greatest number of teeth will be in contact with the work at one time.
4.Hold the saw as shown in Fig. A, with the work stop contacting the work and the blade teeth clear of the work.
5.Turn the saw “ON” and lower onto work.
6.Do not bear down while cutting. Allow the weight of the saw to control cutting pressure. Additional pressure will slow down speed of the blade and reduce efficiency.
7.Hold saw straight in the cut. Any twisting or cocking of the blade results in shorter blade life.
8.Stay clear of end pieces that may fall after being cut off.
9.At the completion of the cut, hold tool firmly so it will not fall against work piece.
Figure A
SIGN-OFF SHEET: Operating Portable Band Saws
This sign-off sheet documents the employees who have participated in a training session on Operating Portable Band Saws. Completed sign-off sheets need to be faxed to (262) 790-1044 or mailed to Kurt Wildner, Safety Director.
Foreman:Job Location:
Date of Training:
P R I N T Name below: Employee Signature
______Staff Electric Company, Inc. Operating Portable Band Saws [ September 2003 ] 1