PDFWAC 296-807-12005

Make sure portable circular saws are safe to use.

(1) You must 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) You must remove cracked saws and saw blades from service.
(3) You must 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.
(1) Covers the blade to the depth of the teeth, except for the minimum arc necessary to allow proper:
(a) Retraction of the guard;
 
(b) Contact with the work.
 
(2) Automatically and instantly returns to the position covering the blade when the saw is withdrawn from contact with the work.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. WSR 15-23-086, § 296-807-12005, filed 11/17/15, effective 12/18/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, [49.17].050, and [49.17].060. WSR 03-09-009, § 296-807-12005, filed 4/4/03, effective 8/1/03.]