Cut-off saws: Safety do’s and don’ts

Commonly used by construction workers, cut-off saws “can be extremely dangerous because unguarded blades operate at very high speeds,” the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations cautions. The agency has created a list of do’s and don’ts.

DO:

• Wear safety shoes, fitted clothing, safety glasses, hearing protection and a hard hat while operating the saw.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended blade specifications for materials to be cut.
• Inspect the cutting blade for warping and damage before startup and clean the air filter.
• Test newly mounted blades at normal operating speed for 30 seconds, with the guard in place, before beginning use.
• Keep all parts of your body away from the blade while it’s running.
• Maintain good balance and footing, using both hands and a firm grip on the handles.
• Run the saw at full throttle and use the bottom of the blade while cutting.
• Keep water continuously running on the blade while cutting concrete or asphalt to keep dust concentration below established exposure limits.
• Ensure the blade doesn’t become pinched in the cut.
• Run the saw for 30 seconds after finishing a cut to allow water to be thrown off the blade.
• Use caution when handling fuel. Never add fuel while the saw is running or near an ignition source.

DON’T:

• Allow bystanders in the work area while you’re using the saw.
• Cut in the vicinity of anything flammable – most cutting procedures produce sparks.
• Use the saw without the blade guard in place.
• Exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the blade.
• Jam or wedge the blade into a cut.
• Grind on the side of the blade or cut with the top or front of the blade.
• Cut dry, except with a blade specifically designated for dry cutting by the manufacturer.
• Operate a damaged, improperly adjusted or improperly balanced saw.

“Only personnel who have been trained on proper use and handling should be allowed to operate this specialized piece of equipment,” DOLIR says.