Machine Shop Safety: Vertical Band Saw

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1. Slide 1

   Introduction to Vertical Bandsaw Safety

   • This material was produced under Susan Harwood grant number SH-31214-SH7 Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. The contents in this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
2. Slide 2

   Introduction: What’s a band saw?

   • The Band Saw was invented by William Newberry in 1808. It is one of the most widely-used wood and metal working machines.
   • Originally for cutting wood, band saws can now cut metal if you change the blade and speed.
   • An early band saw
3. Slide 3

   Introduction: Two types of band saw

   • Here are two common types of Band Saws:
   • 1. Vertical (left)
   • Used to saw curves, lumber, irregular shapes
   • 2. Horizontal (right)
   • Use to cut long pieces, tubes
   • A vertical band saw (left) and horizontal band saw (right)
4. Slide 4

   What it Does:

   • What is a band saw used for?
   • Band Saws are able to cut a variety of materials such as metals, plastics, and wood.
   • An example of a bandsaw performing a cut
5. Slide 5

   Safety: Who is OSHA?

   • With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety a nd Health Administration (OSHA) t
   • assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
   • OSHA is part of the United States Department of Labor. The administrator for OSHA is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. OSHA's administrator answers to the Secretary of Labor, who is a member of the cabinet of the President of the United States.
6. Slide 6

   Safety: Know your rights

   • Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace.
   • employer must provide a
   • Your
   • workplace free of known health and safety hazards.
   • you have concerns, you have
   • If
   • the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation. You also have the right to:
   • Be trained in a language you understand
   • Work on machines that are safe
   • Be provided required safety gear, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls
   • Be protected from toxic chemicals
   • Request an OSHA inspection, and speak to the inspector
   • Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records
   • See copies of the workplace injury and illness log
   • Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses
   • Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace
7. Slide 7

   Hazards: Machine-related injuries

   • Possible machine-related injuries include:
   • Crushed fingers or hands
   • Amputations
   • Blindness
   • Blindness is a possible machine-related injury
8. Slide 8

   Hazards: Operating controls

   • The Operating Controls of the Vertical Band Saw house the Emergency Stop button which is used to shut the machine off in an emergency of if something goes wrong.
   • The green “On” button is pushed to start the saw.
   • The Power Disconnect Switch is used to completely shut the power off to the machine.
   • The operating controls on a vertical band saw
9. Slide 9

   Hazards: Power transmission device

   • The Power Transmission Device on the Vertical Band Saw is its motor. It turns the lower band wheel which makes the saw band move.
   • The Power Transmission device of the Vertical Band Saw is housed inside the saw frame and does not present a risk unless the access panel has been removed.
   • The power transmission device inside a band saw
10. Slide 10

    Hazards: Point of operation

    • The point of operation is the area on a machine where work is actually performed on the material being processed.
    • On the Vertical Band Saw, the point of operation is either at the point where the saw blade meets the machine table or where the saw blade meets the part being cut.
    • The point of operation on a band saw
11. Slide 11

    Hazards: Nip points and rotating parts

    • In-running nip points are commonly found among rotating or reciprocating parts. They occur in two scenarios:
    • 1.When machine parts move toward each other
    • 2.When machine parts run past a stationary object
    • Examples of nip points in different mechanisms
12. Slide 12

    Hazards: Flying chips and wood dust

    • Cutting material on the vertical band saw can cause chips, sparks and wood dust to fly in different directions.
    • An example of wood dust generated by cutting
13. Slide 13

    Hazards: What is machine guarding?

    • Machine guarding is a means of shielding users from moving or flying parts and preventing them from accidentally coming into contact with moving pieces of equipment. Here is a sample of a guard for the Vertical Band Saw (orange in the image).
    • The orange and clear machine guarding of a band saw
14. Slide 14

    Hazards: Preventing injuries and amputations

    • To prevent injury:
    • Be trained
    • Identify ON/OFF and EMERGENCY switch
    • Use a blade of an appropriate size and type
    • Set the guard (open wide enough) to clear stock/workpiece
    • Use push stick, jig or fixture to adjust workpiece
    • The operating controls on a vertical band saw
15. Slide 15

    Hazards: Hazard Signage

    • To prevent injuries, be aware of hazard signages next to the machinery.
    • An example of hazard signage
16. Slide 16

    Hazards:

    • Lockout/Tagout
    • Lockout/tagout procedures are safeguarding methods to prevent injury due to hazardous energy sources. If you see the machines with the signs featured in the image or that are under lock and key, please stay away and do not touch or attempt to start it.
    • Examples of Lockout/tagout equipment
17. Slide 17

    Hazards: Best practices

    • Set the guard to clear stock/workpiece
    • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times
    • Clean up and clear work area
    • An example of hazard signage