|
American Society for
Surgery of the Hand |
6300 North River Rd.,
Suite 600 Rosemont, IL
60018-4256 P: 847/384-1437 F: 847/384-1435 W: www.assh.org |
Press Release
|
Contact: Nicole Renn Phone: (847) 384-8300 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2005 |
Hand Surgeons Urge Power Saw Safety
this Spring
Rosemont, IL— The American Society for Surgery of
the Hand (ASSH) recommends that individuals take the proper precautions to
prevent hand-related injuries while tending to Spring projects. Each year, thousands of people suffer
maiming or amputations of their fingers or hands due to improper handling of
power saws.
In a 2001 study, the
Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that over 50,000 people were
treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with table
saws, band saws, miter saws, or redial arm saws in the calendar year. Contact with the saw blade was the major
hazard to power saw operators, followed by being hit by stock or cutting
material.
An injury
sustained from a power saw could quickly and suddenly have devastating
consequences involving severe
lacerations and fractures.
Nerve, tendon, vascular
injury and amputation are possible as well. Fingertip injuries are the
most common with the thumb being the most commonly injured digit. It has been determined that a circular
table saw can sever a human forearm 6 centimeters in diameter in just 40 - 60
milliseconds depending upon the feeding power of the saw.
”Power saw injuries are usually very
serious, often requiring delicate surgery followed by weeks or even months of
rehabilitation,” said Jeffery C. Wint, MD of the American Society for Surgery
of the Hand. “"Even with treatment an injury may result in permanent changes to
the function of the injured hand and upper extremity."
An inexperienced operator is more likely to be injured
with a power saw than with other tools. These injuries are likely to be
more severe than with other tool injuries. While tool design may be
responsible for some power saw injuries a primary source of injury comes from
failure to properly use the equipment and exercise sound safety principles.
To prevent hand
injuries, the ASSH suggests the following safety tips when using a power saw:
·
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.
·
Use the correct blade for the
application.
·
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!
Whether removing tree branches,
building a deck or working on another Spring project, use caution when
operating a power saw. 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. Make the
safety tips presented here common knowledge and practice in your home and
workplace. Know your equipment and its limits.
For more information
about the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and its free “Find a Hand
Surgeon” service offered to the general public, please visit: www.handcare.org.
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