OSHA 10-Hour Construction ReviewTools - Hand and PowerMedium
A worker is using a portable circular saw to cut lumber on a busy construction site. According to OSHA, which part of the saw must be equipped with a guard that automatically adjusts to the thickness of the material being cut?
- AThe lower blade guard.
- BThe motor housing.
- CThe miter guide.
- DThe upper blade guard.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The lower blade guard.
OSHA requires that the lower blade guard on portable circular saws automatically adjust to the thickness of the material and fully enclose the blade when the saw is not cutting. This protects the operator from accidental contact with the blade.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The motor housing encloses the motor and electrical components, not the blade.
- C. The miter guide is for angled cuts and is not a blade guard component.
- D. The upper blade guard covers the top part of the blade and does not automatically adjust to material thickness.
Portable Circular Saw Guarding
Portable circular saws must have a lower blade guard that automatically adjusts to the work and fully encloses the blade upon completion of the cut.
- The guard retracts during cutting.
- The guard automatically returns to position when the tool is removed from the work.
- This prevents accidental contact with the rotating blade.
Memory trick: Lower guard retracts and returns, like a shy turtle!