Abstract: Employee #1 was running short pieces of wood from the cut line through a back rip saw to remove defects from one side of the wood. The cut line is where long boards are cut into short pieces by removing any defects; it passes on a conveyor behind the back rip saw. Shorter pieces (4 in. or less) occasionally jammed the line. One of Employee #1's duties was to step to the back side of the rip saw and clear jams. She had just cleared a jam when she slipped as she returned to her work station. She put out her hand to steady herself, and it went under the saw guard into an 11 in. long by 2 5/8 in. high opening. The saw blade caught her glove and pulled in her right hand. Her index finger was amputated at the first joint.