Safety First: Band Saw Operator Tips

While it's true that accidents and emergency situations can happen in any environment, in any industry, at any time, this is especially true when working with heavy-duty industrial machinery. 

Although every profession poses various levels of safety hazards, few of them require workers to operate the heavy-duty machinery found in metal shops and manufacturing facilities. Whether you’re an experienced band saw operator or have only recently entered the profession, there are safety precautions you’ll need to adhere to for the sake of your personal safety.

Personal Safety
-Wear safety glasses, goggles or a face shield.
-Keep your hands well out of the line of cut. This means never pushing metal directly into a blade or having your hands anywhere near the blade while the tool is in use.
-Make sure all guards are in place and properly adjusted. Ensure all band wheels are enclosed.
-Adjust blade guard height to about 3 mm or 1/8 inch above the top of the material being cut.
-Ensure the blade is under proper tension.
- Use band saw blades that are sharp and properly set.
-Keep the floor around a band saw clean and free of obstructions or clutter.

Machine Safety
If a band saw isn’t properly maintained, both your personal safety and the quality of your work is at risk. Cleaning the band saw after every use will help prevent dust and debris from building up and finding its way inside the gears of your equipment. Make sure you lubricate with a specialized aluminum lubricant and replace dull blades as soon as possible.

Safety precautions are an integral part of manufacturing facilities. Workplace safety programs are designed to identify and eliminate hazards that employees face in varied work environments based on experiences and in-depth plant evaluations. Staying consciously aware of your surroundings and recognizing potential hazards will significantly reduce risks to yourself and your coworkers.