WAC 296-78-605   Swing saws.  (1) Manually operated swing cut-off saws of the following types shall be set up, guarded and operated in accordance with chapter 296-806 WAC, Machine safety:

     • Saws into which materials to be cut are fed or positioned and/or held in position by hand pressure during the cutting stroke; and/or

     • Saws on which the cutting stroke is propelled by hand pressure; and/or

     • Saws on which the operator is within arm's reach of the blade when the operator is standing at the operator's control station and the blade is fully extended to the limit of operating travel.

     (2) Operators of hand operated swing saws shall not stand directly in front of saw while making a cut.

     (3) Swing cut-off saws which are fed by powered live rolls, conveyor chains and/or belts and which are operated from a remote operator's station (defined as being beyond arm's reach of the blade when the blade is fully extended to the limit of operating travel) shall be set up, guarded and operated in accordance with the following:

     (a) Overhead swing cut-off saws shall be guarded by a hood which shall cover the upper half of the cutting edge at least to the depth of the teeth.

     (b) The driving belts on overhead swing cut-off saws, where exposed to contact, shall be provided with guards as required by WAC 296-78-71505.

     (c) Saws shall be completely enclosed when in idle position.

     (d) Power operated swing saws shall have controls so arranged that the operators will not stand directly in front of saw when making cut.

     (e) All swing saws shall be equipped with a counter balance which shall be permanently fastened to the frame of the saw and so arranged or adjusted that it will return the saw beyond the rear edge of the table or roll case without a rebounding motion. Wire rope, chain or nonmetallic rope running to a weight over a sheave shall not be used for attaching counter balance.

     (f) No swing cut-off or trim saw shall be located directly in line with stock coming from an edger.

     (g) Swing limit stops shall be provided and so adjusted that at no time shall the forward swing of the saw extend the cutting edge of the saw beyond a line perpendicular with the edge of the saw table, roll case, guard or barrier.

     (h) Saws that are fed into the cut by means of air, steam, hydraulic cylinders, or other power device or arrangement shall be designed so they can be locked or rendered inoperative.

     (i) Foot treadle operated saws shall be provided with safeguards to prevent accidental contact.

     (j) Swing saws on log decks shall be equipped with a positive stop for the protection of persons who may be on the opposite side of the log haul chute.

     (k) Tables or roll casings for swing saws shall be provided with stops or lineup rail to prevent material being pushed off on opposite side.

     (4) Operators of hand operated swing saws shall not stand directly in front of saw while making cut.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-14-028, § 296-78-605, filed 6/29/04, effective 1/1/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 96-17-056, § 296-78-605, 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), § 296-78-605, filed 8/27/81.]