WAC 296-78-570   Band saws -- Saws.  (1) Band head rigs shall be given a thorough daily inspection and any deficiency reported and corrected.

     (2) Any band saw found to have developed a crack greater than one-tenth the width of the saw shall be removed from service until the width of the saw is reduced to eliminate the crack, the cracked section is removed, or the development of the crack is arrested by welding.

     (3) Band saws shall not be continued in use of the head rig for which they have been designed after they have been reduced forty percent in width.

     (4) Leather gloves, or equivalent hand protection, shall be worn by employees while changing band saws.

     (5) All head band saw wheels shall have a minimum rim thickness of five-eighths inch, except for a distance of not to exceed one inch from the front edge of the wheel.

     (6) Provisions shall be made for alerting and warning employees before starting band head saws, and measures shall be taken to insure that all persons are in the clear.

     (7) No band saw shall be run at a peripheral speed in excess of that recommended by the manufacturer. The manufacturer's recommended maximum speed shall be stamped in plainly legible figures on some portion of the assembly.

     (8) A band wheel that has developed a crack in the rim shall be immediately removed from service. If a crack has developed in a spoke the wheel shall be removed from service until repaired.

     (9) All band wheels shall be completely encased or guarded on both sides. The exposed part of the saw blade on the uptravel between the two wheels shall be encased, and no portion of the blade exposed, except such part of the cutting edge as is essential for sawing the material at hand.

     (10) All band wheel guards shall be constructed of not less than ten U.S. gauge metal, or not less than two inch wood material or equivalent, attached to the frames. Ventilating ports shall not exceed 2 x 4 inches in size. Openings necessary for lubrication or repair of the saw shall have doors or gates of equivalent strength to the remainder of the guard, and such doors or gates shall be securely closed during operation.

     (11) Every band mill shall be equipped with a saw catcher, rest or guard of substantial construction.

     (12) All band saws other than head mills shall be enclosed or guarded except the working side of the blade between the guide and the table. The guard for the portion of the saw between the sliding guide and the upper saw wheel guard shall be adjusted with the guide.

     (13) Each gang ripper of band or straight saw type shall have the cutting edges of the saw guarded by a hood or screen secured to the framework of the machine.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 96-17-056, § 296-78-570, filed 8/20/96, effective 10/15/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-570, filed 8/27/81.]