Table Saw Safety Rule Comment Deadline Extended
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Table Saw Safety Rule Comment Deadline ExtendedWASHINGTON -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has extended the public comment period for developing a table saw safety rule by 60 days.

CPSC commissioners voted 4-0 to accept comments through Feb. 10, 2012. The original comment deadline was Dec. 12.

CPSC will consider public comments in creating the standard. The federal safety agency issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) for drafting a standard to address table saw blade contact injuries on Oct. 11.

Types of information CPSC is requesting is listed in the December 2 Federal Register. It includes:

  • Studies, tests or descriptions of new technologies or new applications of existing technologies that can address blade contact injuries and estimates of costs associated with incorporation of new technologies or applications.
  • Estimated manufacturing cost per table saw of new technologies or applications that can address blade contact injuries.
  • Information on effectiveness or user acceptance of new blade guard designs.
  • Information that supports or disputes preliminary economic analyses on the cost of employing technologies that reduce blade contact injuries on table saws.
  • Studies, research or data on detection/reaction systems that have been employed to mitigate blade contact.

 

The CPSC said approximately 67,000 saw operators sustain injuries related to coming in contact with a saw blade based on an analysis of 2007 and 2008 accident reports. The CPSC has suggested that requiring "flesh detection devices" like the commercially available SawStop could help bring about a significant reduction in table saw operator injuries, including amputations.

The Power Tool Institute (PTI), which includes Black & Decker, Delta, DeWalt, Ryobi and other saw makers among its members, has voiced concern that if the CPSC requires flesh detecting technology,it would not only significantly increase the cost of saws, but create a monopoly for SawStop because the company holds dozens of patents. Recently, the PTI launched a campaign encouraging that woodworkers and consumers submit comments to the CPSC "opposing the mandatory rule for table saws."

View Federal Register notice on Table Saw Blade Contact Injuries comment extension.

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