CPSC Seeks Comments on Need for Mandatory Table Saw Standards
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comments on whether a mandatory performance safety standard or other requirement is needed to address an unreasonable risk of injury associated with table saws.
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Comments are due by December 12, 2011.
Result of 2003 Petition Citing 30,000 Injuries per Year, Amputations
The ANPR is the result of a 2003 petition asking CPSC to require performance standards for a system to reduce or prevent injuries from contact with the blade of a table saw. The petitioners cited estimates of 30,000 annual injuries involving table saws, with approximately 90% of the injuries occurring to the fingers and hands, and 10% of the injuries resulting in amputation.
Voluntary Standard May not Adequately Address Blade Contact Injuries
After researching the issue, CPSC is also concerned that the current voluntary standard1 for table saws may not adequately address the operator blade contact injuries associated with table saw use. It adds that recent efforts by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) improve the voluntary standard but still appear to be inadequate as they depend on an operator’s willingness to use a modular blade guard system.
Seeks Comments on Need for Mandatory Standard, Warning Labels, Etc.
Among other things, CPSC is considering a mandatory table saw performance standard that would address blade contact injuries and/or a labeling rule requiring specified warnings and instructions to address blade contact injuries.
Accordingly, CPSC invites written comments concerning the risk of injury associated with table saw blade contact, the two regulatory alternatives, other possible means to address this risk, and the economic impacts of the various alternatives. CPSC also invites persons to submit an existing standard, or a statement of intent to modify or develop a voluntary standard, to address the risks of injury described in the ANPR.
1The seventh edition of UL 987, Stationary and Fixed Electric Tools
CPSC contact - Caroleene Paul (301) 987--2225
CPSC press release available here.
(FR Pub 10/11/11, D/N CPSC--2011--0074)