Cutting it too close for comfort

Whether remodeling a basement, fixing a porch, or building a deck, chances are you will use a power saw. Be careful: Contact with saw blades spinning at 5,000 revolutions per minute sends more than 91,000 people a year to the emergency room.

Kickback, a hazard inherent to all power saws regardless of brand or style, is a leading cause of injuries. It occurs when the material binds or pinches the saw blade during a cut. In a split second, kickback can jerk the saw out of your hands or shoot the piece of wood that is being cut back toward you. "Kickback is common to anyone who picks up a power saw, whether you're a professional carpenter or a weekend do-it-yourselfer," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Northbrook, Ill., a not-for-profit safety organization. "By taking the time to learn how to use a saw safely and taking precautions to minimize the effects of kickback, anyone can cut with confidence."

Drengenberg recommends taking the following precautions:

* Employ the proper saw for the task. For example, do not use a circular saw for cutting tree limbs or logs. A chain saw is the appropriate tool in this case.

* Always wear safety glasses. Never wear loose clothing or dangling jewelry when using a saw. They can get caught in the moving parts.

* Never set the blade any deeper than one-eighth to one-quarter inch below the work piece. Kickback becomes more intense when there is more blade that can be pinched. Keep blades clean and sharp.

* Use clamps or a vise to hold work in place. Do not make cuts across the knee, foot, or hand. Securing the work piece allows the operator to keep two hands on the saw and increases control over kickback.

* Pay attention while making a complete cut. Alert users should feel resistance as the work piece or saw becomes harder to push through. In some instances, the blade may screech as it binds or slows, signaling a potential kickback situation.

* If the blade begins to bind while making a cut, immediately stop the cut and hold the saw and work piece completely still. Wait for the blade to stop before pulling away from a cut.

* Keep children away from the work area at all times. Never allow them to operate power saws.

* Unplug or remove battery packs from all portable power saws when not in use. These tools can contain "juice" even when turned off.

* Like any household appliance, power saws need to be maintained and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning