5 Dangerous Power Tools in Home and Workplace Accidents

LAW BLOG  •

September 18, 2015

Any tool can be dangerous if it is used in the wrong way, but some tools can cause far more devastation than others. Power tools, in particular, can cause devastating injuries from which operators and victims may never fully recover. Always follow safety precautions with power tools, but use particular caution if you plug in any of the five most dangerous:

  1. Table saw. Table saws are used for a variety of wood cutting applications, and they are often used by both professionals and homeowners. The blade spinning at a high rate poses a threat to anyone who gets a limb too close. In older models, there was no guard on the blade, and carpenters needed to use great care when moving pieces of wood close to the blade. Today, there are safety features like sensors that stop when hands get too close and blade guards that decrease the likelihood of injury.
    Avoid injuries on table saws by using a guide (featherboard) when you get close to the rotating saw instead of your hand. Table saws account for almost 150 injuries on a daily basis, and many injuries lead to amputations.
  1. Nail guns. The same technology that makes nail guns efficient also makes them very dangerous. They often shoot nails with compressed air at a rate of 120 lbs. per square inch. Now widely available for homeowners and contractors, these tools are responsible for hand and finger injuries, but they have occasionally impaled individuals in more vital parts of the body.
    Stay safe by wearing eye protection, keeping your hands clear of the nailing area, and setting the gun to sequential mode, which will require you to press the trigger instead of merely pressing the muzzle against a piece of board.
  1. Circular saw. Circular saws often cause trouble because they can have a mean kickback. The blade spins faster than a table saw, and the hand-held nature of the tool makes it very likely to cause accidental injury.
    Reduce your chance of injury by wearing protective eyewear and earplugs, and work away from others. Always set the blade’s depth so that it barely moves past the thickness of the work piece, and set your project on sawhorses and in a clamp or vise to reduce movement.
  1. Chain saw. Another hand-held power tool, chain saws are featured in horror movies for a reason. They need regular maintenance to work properly, and users should always wear protective gear. Providers like Stihl make clothing that resists chainsaws and other power tools that can be life-saving in a mishap.
    Become familiar with your chain saw’s manual and invest in cut-resistant chaps. Solid gloves and boots can also make working with a chainsaw safer. Even under the best circumstances, one odd piece of wood or an accident can lead to the blades grazing the skin of your shins or knee.
  1. Power drill. Power drills make light work of many household projects, but they are just as dangerous in an accident as other power tools. If pressed against skin in the on position, the drill will bite into your skin just as easily as you can cut into jelly. Holding the drill firmly against the target location can help prevent the drill from moving once engaged.

Although these may be the deadliest power tools people commonly use, others frequently cause injury. You may not be as focused on security precautions when using “safer” tools like ladders or hammers, but they can just as easily cause significant injury if they are not stored and used with the utmost caution. Avoid injury, scarring, chronic pain, and other consequences by using every tool carefully.

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