A table saw is the most dangerous tool in a woodworker’s arsenal. If you want to avoid table saw accidents, remember that despite their usefulness, they pose a high risk of injury if the blade touches a person.
We felt it was important to highlight some of the most critical table saw injury statistics and facts, as many individuals are unaware of the possibility of injury and its consequences.
Table-Saw Related Injuries
According to research, about 31,400 people are treated annually for table saw injuries. These numbers are based on emergency room visits recorded between 1990 and 2007 and do not include workplace accidents.
Ninety-three percent of these incidents involved damage to a user’s finger, thumb, or another portion of their hand. Sixty-six percent of the wounded suffered lacerations, while ten percent lost limbs.
Soft tissue injuries to the head, face, and neck are another common injury most often caused by timber or other objects flying backward during a kickback incident.
Table Saw Injuries Statistics
30,000+ cases of table saw-related were recorded annually in the U.S.
A significant number of table saw-related injuries each year in the United States. More people are hurt by table saws than other power equipment each year, at over 30,000.
Certain table saw accidents are minor, but others can cause serious harm. The data demonstrate how risky table saws can be and how much care must be taken when using one.
Around 10 cases of injuries result in amputations every day
Amputations occur in more than ten table saw accidents per day. Your fingers or hands could be severed if you don’t know what you’re doing with a table saw.
While not every injury caused by a table saw will be as severe, it is important to be aware that accidents involving table saws occur frequently and frequently result in serious consequences.
Careful attention and the use of safety equipment can help reduce the likelihood of injury when working with a table saw.
Hands and fingers are the commonly affected areas
According to research, hands and fingers are particularly vulnerable since you must use them to operate the table saw. Although other parts of your body may also sustain injuries, the fingers and hands are most likely to damage by the blade’s frequent proximity [1].
More people use table saws than any other tool in the woodworking industry. Contact with the saw blade causes the majority of table saw injuries.
Passive injury prevention measures are much needed to keep fingers and thumbs from coming into contact with the blade. The risk of injury increases if the material you’re cutting is too thick or broad.
Students are also at risk
Injuries from table saw use are too common, and most students and beginners aren’t aware of the risks they confront.
Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of professors and educators to bring attention to this problem and instruct students on how to use such a potent instrument safely.
Over a million table saw units are being used today
It is predicted that by 2022, there will be over a million table saws in use. According to a 2010 estimate by Oregonlive, there are more than 700,000 table saws in operation across the United States.
The number of people who regularly use a table saw is thought to have climbed dramatically, and it’s likely doubled in the last decade, as woodworking generally has become more popular and more people are interested in DIY projects.
Safety guidelines and equipment have yet to be updated to lower the risk of blade contact.
Most table saws’ major safety equipment is a plastic blade guard to protect users from potential injury. There are still a lot of table saw accidents every year even though this technology hasn’t changed in over 50 years.
Newer technologies are generally more expensive than older ones because of their increased safety features.
Hospitalization costs for table saw injuries totaled $2 billion
Hospitalization is a common outcome of table saw accidents due to the severity of these injuries. Indeed, it is estimated that annual medical costs for table saw injuries are over $2 billion, which indicates that many individuals are coping with these injuries.
Table saw users will continue to increase in the coming years.
The value of the global table saw a jump of more than $760 million during COVID. There will be a rise in demand between 2022 and 2028. That bodes well for the industry, as both demand and supply for table saws are expected to rise.
Newer table saws will have more cutting-edge safety measures that will make the tool safer and easier to use.