Table saws are popular tools for many companies and businesses here in Maryland but they can also lead to serious injury for the employees using them. One issue that we often see here at McGowan & Cecil LLC is with the overall design of the equipment.
Typically, a table saw often looks like a work bench with a metal box or frame. An electric motor within the box powers a large saw blade that is circular in shape. The blade can often be set at a tilted angle or to be straight, depending on what the operator is trying to do. The design of the equipment varies, depending on the manufacturer and the price, and may include a large table or a smaller space in which to work.
To protect users from harm, the table saws often feature a plastic sheath but this has been proven to be ineffective as a guard from the sharpness of the blade, should it become unstable. Every year, these tools cause more than 40,000 accidents and the majority of the injuries incurred are serious in nature including:
- Bone fractures
- Loss of fingers
- Loss of arms
- Loss of hands
- Body lacerations
Additionally, people with such injuries will often be left with severe physical scars. Workers who lose an arm may be unable to return to work and develop additional problems such as depression and anxiety.
Despite the dangers that table saws pose, the manufacturers of these tools have not made many efforts to improve safety. It is also the responsibility of employers to do everything they can to protect their workers from harm. For more information on this topic, please visit our web page.