Hand Surgeons Provide Tips for Power Saw Safety
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) recommends that individuals take the proper precautions to prevent hand-related injuries while tending to Spring projects.
Rosemont, IL (PRWEB) May 10, 2005 -- The American Society for Surgery of the
Hand (ASSH) recommends that individuals take the proper precautions to prevent
hand-related injuries while tending to Spring projects. Each year, thousands of
people suffer maiming or amputations of their fingers or hands due to improper
handling of power saws.
In a 2001 study, the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) found that over 50,000 people were treated in U.S. hospital
emergency rooms for injuries associated with table saws, band saws, miter saws,
or redial arm saws in the calendar year. Contact with the saw blade was the
major hazard to power saw operators, followed by being hit by stock or cutting
material.
Nerve, tendon, vascular injury and amputation are possible as
well. Fingertip injuries are the most common with the thumb being the most
commonly injured digit. It has been determined that a circular table saw can
sever a human forearm 6 centimeters in diameter in just 40 - 60 milliseconds
depending upon the feeding power of the saw.
”Power saw injuries are
usually very serious, often requiring delicate surgery followed by weeks or even
months of rehabilitation,” said Jeffery C. Wint, MD of the American Society for
Surgery of the Hand. “"Even with treatment an injury may result in permanent
changes to the function of the injured hand and upper extremity."
To
prevent hand injuries, the ASSH suggests the following safety tips when using a
power saw:
• Never use your hands to clear the scraps from
a sawing worktable, instead, use a long stick.
• Do not wear loose clothing
or jewelry around the wrists.
• Keep your finger off the trigger when
carrying a portable power saw.
• When starting, let the saw reach full speed
before cutting and support the work firmly so it will not shift.
• Check for
proper blade guard operation before each cut.
If you are injured seek
prompt medical attention. Delay in treatment can lead to a higher risk of
infection or tissue loss. The damage done to a finger, hand or any site often
exceeds what may be initially apparent due to the force of these types of
injuries.
For more information about the American Society for Surgery of
the Hand and its free “Find a Hand Surgeon” service offered to the general
public, please visit: www.handcare.org.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb238531.htm