Introduction
Power
saws are extremely useful tools, enabling all types of materials
to be cut and shaped. However, they also have the potential
to cause serious hand injuries. The hands are used to guide
pieces into the saw, and thus they can be vulnerable.
The
severity of the injury can vary tremendously, depending on the
specific level at which the injury occurs, the depth of the
injury, and also characteristics of the saw.
A
saw blade is often rated by its kerf, which describes the width
of the cut made by the blade. A bigger kerf means that a thicker
or wider defect will be cut out by the path of the saw blade.
Smaller kerfs leave a narrower defect in the material that they
cut. The kerf may be wider than the saw blade because the cutting
teeth of the blade may be angled outwards. The shape and pattern
of the teeth will also vary depending on the particular application
of the saw.
Use of the proper type of saw and blade for the intended task
is important to avoid binding or kicking back of material, or
other problems that can cause injury.
Types Of Injuries
Any
structure that comes into contact with the saw blade can potentially
be injured. Superficial scrapes or more severe cuts can damage
the skin. Sometimes a large area of skin can be torn off. Deeper
injuries can damage the tendons and muscles that move the fingers,
thumb, and wrist, affecting the way they move.
Nerves may be cut, resulting in loss of feeling and/or loss
of ability to control certain muscles. Circulation may be lost
if the arteries are injured. Fractures may result, which can
be in the shaft of the bone or in the joint, and sometimes with
loss of bone substance. Amputations are also possible. With
certain types of saws, there may be much more shredding as opposed
to a sharp, fine cut. Electric shocks and burns can also occur
with the operation of a power saw.
Treatment
Simple
cuts may be treated with stitches or bandages. Larger areas
of skin loss may need a skin graft for coverage. Tendon and
nerve injuries may need to be repaired, but if too much shredding
has occurred or there is excessive loss of the tendon and/or
nerve tissue, repair may not be feasible.
Fractures
may need repair with pins, wires, or plates and screws. If a
joint is severely damaged, it may need to be fused permanently.
Some amputations may be able to be replanted, but if there is
too much shredding, it may not be feasible.
Amputation
of a single finger may be better treated by leaving it off,
as the reattached finger may impair the function of the rest
of the hand. The goal is to optimize the overall function of
the hand, but residual impairment is possible with many of these
types of injuries.
Prevention
Follow
all the safety instructions provided for your power saw. Do
not override safety guards; they are there for your protection.
Here are some preventive tips:
-
Never look away from your work.
-
Never use your hands to clear the scraps from a sawing worktable,
instead, use a long stick.
-
Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry around the wrists.
-
Keep your finger off the trigger when carrying a portable
power saw.
-
Do not use the saw to perform a task for which it was not
designed.
-
Use the correct blade for the application. Set it for the
correct depth, to minimize the amount of exposed blade and
reduce the potential for binding.
-
Use sharp blades. Dull blades cause binding, stalling and
possible kickback.
-
When starting, let the saw reach full speed before cutting
and support the work firmly so it will not shift.
-
If the saw stalls, switch off the power and unplug the tool
before trying to restart it.
-
When working with metal, secure the metal materials with
clamps or in a machinist’s vise to keep it from moving.
-
Check for proper blade guard operation before each cut.
-
When starting or stopping the saw, make sure the work is
not touching the blade.
-
Lower a table saw blade below the table top when finished.
-
Keep a clear head, concentrate, and do not drink alcohol
before using a power saw!
Go
To The Doctor
If
you are injured seek prompt medical attention. Delay in treatment
can lead to a higher risk of infection or tissue loss. The damage
done to a finger, hand or any site often exceeds what may be
initially apparent due to the force of these types of injuries.
Power
saws can cause very serious damage that may result in permanent
loss of motion, feeling, and strength, or even in amputation.
Prevention is far better than trying to try to deal with the
aftermath of an injury.
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