Woodworking tool safety requirements

Under 1926.304(a) you must provide a disconnect switch that can be locked or tagged in the off position for every fixed power-driven woodworking tool. This means fixed machines (bench saws, jointers, planers, etc.) need a disconnect means so power can be secured for servicing or when the machine is not in use, and employers must be able to lock or tag that switch to prevent accidental energizing during maintenance.

• See the exact requirement in 1926.304(a).
• Use lockout/tagout procedures consistent with your site's energy control program when servicing the equipment.

Under 1926.304(b) the operating speed must be permanently marked on any circular saw over 20 inches in diameter or any saw operating at over 10,000 peripheral feet per minute, and you must not operate the saw at a speed other than the speed marked on the blade. If you retension the saw so it will run at a different speed, you must correct the marking to show the new speed. See 1926.304(b).

• Do not run a marked blade above or below its stamped speed rating.
• After blade modifications that change speed, update the permanent marking before use.

Under 1926.304(c) automatic feeding devices must be installed on machines whenever the nature of the work will permit it, and feeder attachments must have the feed rolls or other moving parts covered or guarded to protect the operator from hazardous points. See 1926.304(c).

• If the work can be done with a feeder, use one to keep hands away from the blade or cutting point.
• Guard feed rolls and other moving parts so operators cannot contact pinch points or entanglement hazards.

Under 1926.304(d) all portable, power-driven circular saws must have guards both above and below the base plate (shoe). This requires an upper guard that covers above the blade and a lower guard that covers the exposed portion of the blade when in contact with material, with the lower guard automatically retracting during the cut and returning to cover when withdrawn. See 1926.304(d).

• The lower guard must automatically and instantly return to the covering position when the tool is withdrawn from the work.

Under 1926.304(e) all personal protective equipment provided for use must conform to OSHA construction industry PPE requirements in Subpart E of Part 1926. This means employers must select PPE (eye protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection when needed, etc.) that meets the applicable 1926 requirements and ensure PPE is used, maintained, and provided at no cost when required by a standard. See 1926.304(e).

• Perform a hazard assessment before selecting PPE; OSHA explains employer responsibility for hazard assessments in the PPE hazard assessment interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28.
• For noise hazards from woodworking tools, consult OSHA's guidance on hearing protection and hearing conservation in the noise interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-03-06.

Under 1926.304(f) all woodworking tools and machinery must meet other applicable requirements of the American National Standards Institute standard O1.1-1961, titled Safety Code for Woodworking Machinery. This means you should follow the ANSI O1.1-1961 provisions where they apply in addition to the OSHA requirements. See 1926.304(f).

• Use ANSI O1.1-1961 as a supplementary source of design and guarding practices for woodworking machinery.

Under 1926.304(g)(1) the upper hood on a radial saw must completely enclose the upper portion of the blade down to a point that includes the end of the saw arbor and be built to protect the operator from flying splinters and broken teeth while deflecting sawdust away from the operator. See 1926.304(g)(1).

• The hood must be strong enough to resist normal blows and strains and be made of material that won’t cause additional hazards.

Under 1926.304(h) and 1926.304(i)(1), the hood (guard) must automatically adjust to the thickness of the stock and remain in contact with the material being cut while not offering considerable resistance to inserting the material or its passage through the saw. The hood must protect against flying splinters and broken teeth and be made of material soft enough to reduce the risk of causing tooth breakage.

• The guard must stay in contact with the material during the cut to give maximum protection without blocking feeding.
• See 1926.304(i)(1) for the full hood requirements.

Under 1926.304(i) the sides of the lower exposed portion of the blade must be guarded to the full diameter of the blade by a device that automatically adjusts to the thickness of the stock and remains in contact with the stock being cut, providing the maximum protection possible for the operation being performed. See 1926.304(i).

• The guard must give maximum protection while allowing the workpiece to pass.
• Ensure the guard does not impede normal feed or cause unsafe work practices.

Under 1926.304(d) when a portable circular saw is withdrawn from the work the lower guard must automatically and instantly return to the covering position over the blade. This automatic retraction and return is required to protect workers from unexpected contact with the blade when the saw is not engaged in cutting. See 1926.304(d).

• Do not tie back or disable the lower guard; it must function automatically.

Under 1926.304(c) employers must install automatic feeding devices on machines whenever the nature of the work will permit it, so if the work can reasonably be accomplished with an automatic feeder, the feeder should be used to reduce operator exposure to hazardous points. See 1926.304(c).

• If a feeder is feasible and does not compromise the operation, provide and use the feeder to protect employees.

Under 1926.304(b) if you retension a circular saw blade so it will operate at a different speed you must correct the permanent operating speed marking to show the new speed before using the blade. See 1926.304(b).

• Update the permanent marking to accurately reflect the new safe operating speed and do not run the blade at any speed other than that marked.

Under 1926.304(g) the upper hood must be constructed of material and in a manner that will protect the operator from flying splinters and broken saw teeth and will deflect sawdust away from the operator. This includes enclosing the upper portion of the blade down to include the end of the arbor as required in 1926.304(g)(1).

• The hood must resist blows and strains incidental to normal operation and be designed to maximize operator protection.

You must treat potential hazards from chemically treated wood as a hazard communication requirement and provide information and training under OSHA's Hazard Communication standard; OSHA has explained that exposures to treated wood dust are subject to the HCS and employers must inform and train workers about health effects and protective measures. See the arsenic-treated wood interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2023-05-03 and note woodworking PPE requirements in 1926.304(e).

• Provide safety data sheets (SDSs), labels, and training for treated wood dust hazards per Hazard Communication requirements.
• Where dust hazards exist, perform a hazard assessment to determine if respiratory protection or other controls are needed (see the PPE hazard assessment interpretation at https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2024-03-28).

Under 1926.304(i)(1) the hood must be designed to automatically adjust and remain in contact with the stock while allowing easy insertion and passage of material; this balance is achieved with spring-loaded or flexible hoods that ride on the stock and close around it without obstructing normal feeding. The design must provide maximum protection from splinters and broken teeth while not impeding work.

• Use hoods designed to move freely with the stock (e.g., flexible or spring-mounted) so they stay in contact but don't resist feeding.
• Ensure the hood material is soft enough to reduce tooth breakage risk as required by the same paragraph.