The Power Tool Institute is concerned about what form CPSC's table safety rule might take. The PTI promotes table saw safety, including via a video on its website. WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) controversial pursuit of a new table saw safety rule is gaining momentum.
The CPSC voted unanimously, 5-0, on Monday to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) on table saw safety. The CPSC said safety improvements are needed to reduce table saw injuries. The commissioners point to a data contained in a 2007 and 2008 CPSC study estimating that there were approximately 67,300 injuries requiring medical treatment annually due to blade contact. The study further estimated injury costs of $2.36 billion in each of those two years.
Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the CPSC, said in a statement, "Last year, I called on the table saw industry to address this hazard through the voluntary standards process and work to prevent the needless injuries that occur each and every day. Despite my public urging for the power tool industry to make progress voluntarily on preventing these injuries, no meaningful revisions to the voluntary standard were made... Although the Commission was urged by some to allow the voluntary standards process to continue without initiating a rulemaking, the frequency and severity of the blade contact injuries associated with table saws demanded action via the ANPR."
The Power Tool Institute (PTI), which includes Black & Decker, Delta, DeWalt, Ryobi and other saw makers among its members, has argued that the industry has improved safety as the result of a new saw blade guard design. The PTI has also voiced concern that the CPSC could require table saw manufacturers to incorporate the SawStop technology in their products. Among its arguments against requiring SawStop, the PTI said the technology would greatly inflate product costs, especially benchtop saws, and would not safeguard against kickbacks and other potential hazards.
The statement released by CPSC Commissioner Robert Alder seems to confirm that flesh-detecting technology like the SawStop will be part of the new regulation.
"Shortly after I joined the Commission in 2009, I saw a demonstration of a braking mechanism for table saws, called SawStop, which would stop a saw blade instantaneously upon encountering someone’s finger or hand," Alder stated. "This led me to take a look at the injury data for table saws. The injuries associated with this product are horrific – deep lacerations to the arms and hands, broken bones and, worst of all, amputations to fingers and thumbs. Injuries like these often leave victims facing long, painful recoveries as well as significant financial hardship and employment challenges.
Alder added, "I am also aware there are other competing technologies to SawStop that have yet to be brought to market. I know, for example, that the Power Tool Institute has developed flesh-sensing technology. Further, I have met with a gentleman named Dave Butler whose company, Whirlwind Tool Company, is seeking to patent a similar technology. I hope efforts on these and other fronts will continue. Although I find myself extremely impressed by the SawStop technology, I am not in favor of writing a standard that would result in mandating a patented technology if such a result is avoidable."
Related Articles:
Blog: Table Saw Safety: How Safe Is Safe Enough?
CPSC Revisits Table Saw Safety Proposal
ROBERT ALDER
Rich Christianson is Associate Publisher and Editor at Large of Woodworking Network. During his 25+ years covering the wood products industry, Rich has toured hundreds of manufacturing plants throughout North America, Europe and Asia. His reporting has covered everything from the state of the industry and impact of wood imports to technology and environmental issues. In his current capacity he is responsible for editing the daily Woodworking Network Update newsletter and coordinating events including the annual Closets & Home Organization Conference & Expo and the Canada’s biennial Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo.
COMMENTS (5)
Mark Lorge
Report AbuseOur college Wood Manufacturing Technology lab has 2 Sawstop table saws. We purchased them to avoid potential lawsuits. In the 16 years I have been an instructor we have had 1 saw incident and that was caused by operator error. Thankfully, it wasn't overly serious.
One of my main concerns about purchasing technology like this is a fear that the student would become complacent with the other operations in the lab. A sense that they couldn't get hurt at the saw could be projected onto other pieces of equipment. It has increased our awareness
of safety issues but it was a voluntary action and not mandated by a governmental agency. You cannot mandate intelligent use of anything.
Terry
Report AbuseWe have around 20 saw stops in our factory and since putting them in and selling all others our tablesaw accidents are basiccally nill except for an occational band aid cut. The saw stop works.
As far as people getting complacent on a piece of equipment like this in nonsence. If you are running one of these and you know it wont cut you, will you trust it and put your hand in it? I think not. Human sence is a lot stronger than you think when you are accually there.
Bob Fain
Report AbuseWhy would anybody want to put their hand into ANY saw blade while it was running? I would guess nobody would regardless if the saw had a saw stop, or not. In my opinion, most factories don't train workers adequately to use the table saw safely enough to get the job done without some injury. It's not the tool, but a fool using the tool without training-- saw stop installed, or not.
Benson Childress
Report AbuseI have an idea; don't let morons operate dangerous equipment. This all is seemingly trivial but it is another example of the regulatory philosophy that permeates through the minds of America's "care takers." Personal responsibility in all things is the only regulation we should require as free, self-empowered Americans.
Joshua Lynn
Report AbuseI've got to agree with others on this, one said "Don't let a moron operate the saw". I love it! I've been around tools all my life, one thing always goes in (should be any shop) "If you don't know what you're doing, get away from the machine." it seems pretty clear cut and dry to me. Now my issue is that I'm in the market for a new saw and due to some insurance company I now have to shell out $4,000 to get a sawstop instead of spending my money on a more trusted tool with a better reputation known for quality, I'm being told what to buy... kinda drives me a bit nuts to be honest. Where does it stop? Can I buy a panel saw or beam saw and get a brand I know and trust? Saftey is all good don't get me wrong, but we're loosing personal accountability (and that's what scares me).