Abstract: At about 2:45 p.m. on October 8, 1994, Employee #1, of Decore-Alive Specialties, Inc., was using a straight-line rip saw to cut wood. The wood became stuck and the turning saw blade caused the 2 ft by 1/2 in. stake to shoot back at Employee #1. It penetrated the palm of his right hand at about the thumb and exited through the other side of his hand. After administering first aid, Employee #1 was transported by paramedics to Queen of the Valley Hospital, where he remained overnight. According to Employee #1's coworker, who was interviewed during a subsequent inspection, the anti-kick back device on the rip saw was working satisfactorily both at the time of the walkabout and before the accident.