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LOCATION(S) / PREPARED BY / APPROVED BY / DOCUMENT CONTROL
All divisional worksites where portable circular hand saws are present and in use. / Kildonan East Vocational Educational Assistant
Safety and Health Officer / Site safety team or safety committee
Applicable supervisors and instructors
Safety and health office / Origin: September 14, 2006
Last Revised: August 12, 2015
Last Reviewed: August 12, 2015
Next Review:
On or before August 12, 2018
INTENDED USE (PURPOSE) / ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION
Straight cutting of wood products, both stock boards and sheet. / Circular saw is a generic term that can be applied to any saw that uses a spinning circular disc or blade to cut material. Examples include metal cut off saws, buzz saws, miter saws etc.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS AND RISKS: CAUTION STATEMENTS
Energy Sources Powering Equipment / Typically electrical, direct energy from outlet (corded) or stored energy battery powered (cordless). It is possible for circular saws to be pneumatically powered for use in electrical spark prohibited environments. Apply all safe work procedures associated with the energy source specific to the make and model make and model of circular saw being operated. Consult the manufacturer safe work instructions (equipment owner manual) for details.
Energy Sources Produced Through Operation / Thermal heat may be produced through friction at the equipment saw bladeand the materials being cut. Equipment housing may become hot if used for an extended period of time. Use appropriate personal protective and procedural controls to avoid burns.
Electrical sparks from the equipment motors and heat from flying debris from cutting proceed could act as an ignition source that could cause fire or explosions. Always ensure cutting is done in an environment where flammables, combustibles, compressed gasses are not directly accessible to heat and ignition sources generated through operation of this equipment.
Hazards at the Point of Operation / Saws and shears can causeserious cuts or amputations if body parts come into contact with the cutting blade at point of operation and/or between the cutting blade and other solid surfaces (materials, guards, other). Avoid placing body parts in close proximity to or in the path of the cutting blade.
If saws are operated using too much pressure applied by the operator while cutting, there is a potential for the blade to bind into the material causing the saw, the materials being cut, or both to move uncontrollably which could cause injury to workers or damage to equipment and materials. Allow the saw to do the work by applying the right amount of pressure.
Entanglement of hair or clothing in the spinning bladeof this equipment is possible, but unlikely. Best practice is to avoid wearing loose fitting clothing or hanging pieces (draw strings, jewelry, belts etc.) when operating powered equipment if there is a risk of entanglement.
Hazards Along the Path to Worker / Cutting materials with asteel saw blade will cause materials from the cut process to fly through the air, potentially toward the operator or other people in the work area.
Use all applicable personal protective equipment(eye, face, hearing, respiratory, clothing and footwear), engineering control equipment (i.e. shields, partitions, other), and procedural controls (i.e. ensuring other workers are not in the work area while saw is in operation) as required and applicable.
Hazards Associated With Equipment andWorker Positioning (Ergonomics, MSI) / This is portable equipment. Always ensure the That the saw is gripped firmly to avoid slipping which could cause serious injury.
- Always ensure sufficient space is available to make the intended cut and that the work area is clean, dry and free of unnecessary material and equipment that could cause slips, trips or falls.
- Always ensure that flying particles from operation are not directed at any person.
- Always ensure proper manual material handling techniques are used to handle equipment and materials used in operation.
- Always ensure that body positioning is stable and that awkward postures are avoided as much as possible.
- Always keep all body parts out of the saw blade line of operation.
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT (PPE)
/ EYE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Safety glasses or face shield are required and must be worn at all times in applicable workspaces and specifically when operating any power saw. / / HEAD PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Long and loose hair (long enough to get entangled at point of operation) must be tied back.
/ FOOT PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Appropriate footwear must be worn when preforming work with power saws. Shoe must be fully enclosed. No open toed shoes allowed. / / BODY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Close fitting clothing and or protective clothing (aprons or coveralls) must be worn. No dangling loose fitting clothing. Remove any drawstrings or like items from clothing to avoid entanglement issues.
/ HEARING PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Hearing protection must be worn as per workspace protocols and when using this machine constantly for an extended period of time. Hearing protection is always recommended when using power saw equipment. / / PROHIBITED:
Rings and jewelry (long necklaces / bracelets, etc.) must not be worn.
Lighters, matches and cell phones are not allowed in the workspace area when the lab is operational.
/ HAND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Wearing gloves is allowed when using a circular saw, if desired by operator. / / RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:
Dust masks may be required depending on material being worked on and potential individual worker sensitivities.
/ OTHER PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS:
None identified.
SUPPORTINGREQUIREMENTS
- Applicable general worksite, workspace and department safety orientations
- Read and understand RETSD general safety rules and regulations
- Applicable other cutting process safe work procedures
- Safety related contents of equipment specificEquipment Operator Instruction Manual
- Other instruction and supervision
- Other
SAFE WORK PROCEDURE AND JHA CONTROL
ONLY use this machine or perform this process if a supervisor / teacher has instructed you in safe procedures / operation and has given you authorization to perform the work or job.
Always use tools and equipment for their intended use only.
Alwaysread and follow manufacturer’s safety and operational instruction where available and applicable to support this safe work procedure.
Always take out of service and report damaged equipment to your supervisor / teacher without delay.
Always use applicable personal protective equipment as required.
PRE JOB SAFETY PROCEDURE
Step / Task / JHA CONTROL
1 / Inspect the saw. Replace damaged or worn steel blade if needed. Ensure saw is clean. Ensure that the correct saw blade is installed for the job. / Procedural
2 / Ensure that saw blade is guarded and that guard functions smoothly. / Engineering
Procedural
3 / Ensure applicable power source is in good operating condition. Inspect electrical cord for frays or damage. If damaged do not use saw, notify instructor. / Procedural
4 / Ensure that work area is clean and organized prior to saw use to avoid awkward positioning, obstructions, slips, trips and falls. / Procedural
5 / Ensure that saw and work pieces have sufficient room for the cut being attempted. / Procedural
6 / Be aware of other people in the area that may be impacted by your actions. Ensure that people in the area are safeguarded as much as reasonably practical and are aware to your presence and intentions. / Procedural
Engineering
7 / If unsure of any of these points, consult your supervisor prior to attempting work. / Procedural
SET UP PROCEDURE
8 / Install or replace saw blade if needed. Disconnect saw from its power source and ensure motor switch is off. Install a new blade that is the correct size and rpm rating. Ensure saw blade direction is correct. Use correct tool for installing and adjust saw blade as required for the cut planned. / Procedural
9 / Set up work piece. Inspect work piece for foreign materials (nails, screws other) before cutting to avoid potential problems with flying debris and stalling the saw cut causing kickback. / Procedural
10 / Support work piece to prevent binding which can cause the work piece to be kicked back towards operator. / Procedural
11 / Put on all required personal protective equipment prior to operation. (See previously listed PPE Requirements) / PPE
12 / Plug in power source as applicable. / Procedural
OPERATE EQUIPMENT / PERFORM JOB PROCESS PROCEDURE
13 / Start the saw by pulling trigger or engaging the power on switch. Do not have work piece in contact with saw blade before pushing trigger or engaging power on switch. Keep hands away from path of cutting blade. / Procedural
14 / Work piece should be held or clamped firmly in place to ensure no movement when cutting. / Procedural
Engineering
15 / Keep body/face to one side of the line of the saw blade, and avoid placing any body part in the line of cut. / Procedural
16 / Cut work piece. Lower saw blade slowly into work piece. Keep hands/fingers at a safe distance and out of the line of the cut path of saw disc. Avoid aiming flying debris at yourself or others. / Procedural
17 / Use adequate pressure to allow the blade to cut the material freely. Do not apply too much pressure against the work piece with saw blade for a cleaner cut and lower the risk of kickback. / Procedural
18 / Release trigger or disengage power switch and wait for saw disc to stop completely before freeing work piece from stalled saw blade or before making any adjustments or changes. / Procedural
19 / Conclude cutting and ensure blade is not in contact with work piece prior to releasing trigger or disengaging power switch. / Procedural
20 / Release trigger and wait for saw blade to stop completely before removing sawdust and or cuttings. / Procedural
21 / Disconnect power source from saw. / Procedural
POST JOB PROCESS PROCEDURE
22 / Clean up any debris with a broom and dust pan. / Procedural
23 / Clean off saw and put back in storage area. If saw or saw blade is damaged, give to the instructor to lock out. / Procedural
24 / Report any hazardous situations to your supervisor / instructor immediately. / Procedural
LOCKOUT PROCEDURE (CONTROL OF ENERGY)
1 / Apply appropriate lockout device to plug end of corded electrical equipment or remove battery from tool for cordless equipment. / Procedural
Engineering
2 / Apply locks and tags as per established lockout procedures. / Procedural
CARE AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES (BY TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED PEOPLE ONLY)
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
•Workplace Safety and Health Act W210, Sections 4, 5, 7
•Manitoba Regulations 217/2006, Part 02, Section 2.1 Safe Work Procedures
•Operators Manual
•CSA Standards