WAC 296-807-12005   Make sure portable circular saws are safe to use.  

     You must:

     (1) Use a constant pressure switch to turn on or operate any circular saw using a blade that has a diameter greater than two inches.

     (2) Remove cracked saws and saw blades from service.

     (3) Make sure power driven circular saws that have a blade diameter larger than two inches have guards above and below the base plate (shoe) as listed in Table 2, Portable circular saw guarding requirements.

Table 2

Portable Circular Saw Guarding Requirements

Upper Guard	Lower Guard
Covers the blade to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc necessary to allow the base to tilt for bevel cuts.	Covers the blade to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc necessary to allow proper:      • Retraction of the guard      • Contact with the work. Automatically and instantly returns to the position covering the blade when the saw is withdrawn from contact with the work.

Exemption:

Guarding requirements in subsection (3) of this section do not apply to saws used in the meat cutting industry to cut meat.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040,[49.17].050 , and [49.17].060. 03-09-009, § 296-807-12005, filed 4/4/03, effective 8/1/03.]