Residential construction is not as dangerous as, say, timber cutting or commercial fishing. Nevertheless, the average construction site can be a formidable place. Government data show that construction is one of the leading industries for workplace accidents and injuries.
Workers can fall from scaffolding or be hit by objects. They may also injure themselves when they misuse power tools. As a result, the Power Tool Institute (PTI) in Cleveland is focused on promoting proper power tool usage and on maintaining high standards of safety in the industry.
Circ de saw
According to PTI, the circular saw is probably the most commonly used power saw and perhaps the most commonly abused. The group makes the standard recommendations--safety goggles, safety glasses with side shields, dust masks--but it also warns against saws that are too heavy to control and switches that do not turn on properly. Manufacturers have responded, adding ergonomic features that make the saws lighter and more comfortable to hold and to operate.
Chicago-based Skil also looks at industry-wide accident reports and consumer demand when adding safety features to its tools. "[Safety] is at the heart of our design," says marketing director Tim Brasher. As an example, Brasher points to Skil's 18-volt 5800 circular saw. The saw has a side-mounted battery for comfort and balance and features a safety lock switch that requires two fingers to operate.
Click here to read full article from Builder Online
