Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 8. Points of Operation and Other Hazardous Parts of Machinery
Article 59. Woodworking Machines and Equipment

§4307. Portable Power Driven Circular Hand Saws.

(a) All portable, power-driven circular saws shall be equipped with guards above and below the base plate or shoe. The teeth on the upper half of the blade shall be permanently shielded from contact.

EXCEPTION: The upper guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to permit the base to be tilted for bevel cuts.

(b) The lower half (point of operation) of the saw blade shall be guarded to the root of the teeth with a telescopic or hinged guard that, for normal operation, opens up as the saw is fed into the cut and automatically returns to the position covering the saw teeth when removed from the cut. When the tool is withdrawn from the work, the lower guard shall automatically and instantly return to the covering position.

EXCEPTION: No. 1: The guard described in subsection (b) is not required on hand-held portable powered cut-off saws used by fire/rescue personnel for rescue procedures and/or roof ventilation for smoke removal provided the operator is wearing appropriate eye, face, head and body protection as specified in Articles 10 and 10.1 of the General Industry Safety Orders. This exception also applies to qualified persons (e.g. instructors) wearing personal protective equipment as described herein to instruct personnel in safe roof ventilation/rescue techniques.

EXCEPTION: No. 2: The lower guard shall cover the saw to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc required to allow proper retraction and contact with the work.

(1) Telescopic guards shall be equipped with a lifting lug or lever, remote from the blade teeth, that will permit the operator to safely shift the guard for starting unusual cuts.

(2) Saws with hinged guards shall be equipped with 2 handles so arranged that neither hand is exposed to the hazard of the rotating blade. One handle shall be on the hinged guard, and of such design that its use will avoid exposure of the hand or fingers between the retracted guard and the blade.

(c) Guards shall not be prevented from operating automatically by pins, wedges, or other devices that hold them back in an inoperative position.

(d) Saws with hazardous defects, such as damaged guards or switches, shall be removed from service until repairs are complete.

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 8-15-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 41). For history of former section, see Register 75, No. 13.

2. New subsection (b) Exception filed 10-7-94; operative 11-7-94 (Register 94, No. 40).

3. Amendment of subsections (a) and (b) filed 3-7-2016; operative 3-7-2016 pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3. Submitted to OAL for filing and printing only pursuant to Labor Code section 142.3(a)(3) (Register 2016, No. 11).