Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314759853 - Ren.Frch Doors&Sash Dba Renaissance Doors& Windows

Inspection Information - Office: High Hazard Unit - South

Investigation Summary

On May 25, 2012, Employee #1, a 49-year-old male carpenter with Renaissance French Doors and Sash set-up the Better by Design Powermatic table saw (Model 66, Serial Number 91661229, ten-inch blade) and began manually ripping wooden tip rails/stiles (estimated 14-inches by 1.75-inches). During set-up, Employee #1 had relocated the table saw's automatic power-feeder to the side, because its rollers would not move the small-sized part through the saw blade. This left an unguarded saw blade. Employee #1 utilized a push stick to move each part through the unguarded blade. Employee #1 had just started cutting another part when he noticed a small piece of wood, from a previous cut, moving closer to the back end of the saw blade. Employee #1 wanted to remove the piece, before it contacted the blade. Employee #1 continued cutting the part and reached around the blade with his left hand to remove the piece. The piece contacted the rotating blade, subsequently striking Employee #1's left hand. Employee #1 reacted by pulling his hand away. As he did, his thumb contacted the rotating blade. Employee #1 was hospitalized and suffered unspecified amputation injury to his thumb in the event. The cause of this incident was failure to guard this table saw's blade by a hood, which completely enclosed that portion of the saw blade above the table and that portion of the blade above the material being cut. Renaissance French Doors and Sash manufactures wood doors and windows.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, CARPENTER, THUMB, SAW, BLADE, TABLE SAW