California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 8 - Points of Operation and Other Hazardous Parts of Machinery
Article 59 - Woodworking Machines and Equipment
Section 4309 - Horizontal Pull Saws (Radial Arm Saw)

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 4309

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) The saw blade shall be encased on both sides in such a way that at least the upper half of the blade and the arbor ends will be completely covered.

(1) The upper hood shall be constructed in such a manner and of such material that it will protect the operator from flying splinters, broken saw teeth, etc., and will deflect sawdust away from the operator.

(2) The sides of the lower exposed portion of the blade shall be guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that provides a physical barrier and visual warning, such as a leaf guard or chain, that will automatically adjust itself to the thickness of the stock and remain in contact with stock being cut to give the maximum protection possible for the operation being performed.

(b) Limit chains or other positive means shall be used to prevent the saw blade from moving beyond the front edge of the table. Such limiting devices shall be so designed and located that they can be easily inspected and they shall be maintained in good condition.

(c) Where saw is used for ripping purposes, there shall be an anti-kickback device installed. Such a device shall be designed to be effective for any thickness and width of the stock to be cut. Where automatic feeding devices are used they shall be guarded.

(d) There shall be an effective device which will return the saw automatically to the back of the table when released at any point of its travel; such a device shall prevent the saw from rebounding. As an alternative, the front of the table shall be raised to a height that will cause the saw to return to the rear of the table without rebounding.

(e) When a saw is designed for ripping or ploughing, such operations shall be against the direction in which the saw blade turns, and the direction of the saw rotation shall be conspicuously marked on the hood. In addition, a permanent label not less than 1- 1/2 inches by 3/4 -inch shall be affixed to both sides of the rear of the guard at approximately the level of the arbor, reading as follows: DO NOT RIP FROM THIS END, or equivalent wording.

1. Repealer and new section filed 10-25-74; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 74, No. 43).
2. Editorial correction of subsection (d) (Register 76, No. 9).
3. Amendment of subsection (e) filed 10-5-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 41).
4. Amendment of subsection (a) and repealer of subsection (f) filed 4-27-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 17).
5. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 7-6-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 27).
6. Amendment of subsection (e) filed 7-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).
7. Amendment of subsections (b) and (e) filed 8-15-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 41).
8. Editorial correction of subsection (c) printing error (Register 86, No. 51).
9. New subsections (a)(1)-(2) filed 2-28-2013; operative 4-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 9).

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

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