JOB SAFETYANALYSIS
Department of Environmental Health & Safety
OPERATING A VERTICAL BAND SAW
PHOTOS TASK
Remove all jewelry. Wrap long
hair in net or tie back. Ensure
clothing is sturdy and snug.
Obtain clear safety glasses with
side shields, and, if necessary,
leather gloves (only if you will be
handling saw blade).
Inspect safety glasses for cracks,
scratches, or other defects.
Ensure the ANSI standard Z87.1 is
stamped into the side of glasses.
Wear all necessary PPE.
Inspect work area-walk around
saw area looking for debris and
ensure adequate lighting.
Inspect band saw-ensure the saw
is secured to the floor.
Visually inspect the electrical
power cord.
Visually inspect band saw blade. If Stuck, cut,
it must be rotated by hand, wear
leather gloves and disconnect
electrical cord. Always check to
HAZARDS CONTROLS
Caught into Do not wear rings or jewelry.
saw, struck,
lacerations,
etc.
If any defects are identified through
this process, report it immediately to
your supervisor.
If defects are found, report to your
supervisor before using the safety
glasses.
Always wear safety glasses and full
cover shoes. Wear leather gloves only
if you will be handling saw blade. Do
not wear gloves during operation of
saw.
Slips, trips, Remove any debris that could possibly
and falls cause an injury. Keep work space
around saw free from scraps,
sawdust, oil, and grease.
Tip over, Report any defect to your supervisor
sliding, and ensure corrective action before
walking operating.
Electrical If electrical cord is damaged or worn,
shock the electrical cord should be
unplugged and tagged “out of service-
do not use.” The issue should be
reported to your supervisor. Electrical
cord replacement should only be
conducted by an authorized
technician or designee.
When setting up to work, check the
injury saw blade for missing teeth and
cracks. Make sure the blade is
properly mounted and rated for the
ensure blade is tight.
Visually Inspect guards
Visually inspect any other
adjustable parts.
Ensure the electrical cord is
connected to the electrical outlet
Place the material to be cut firmly
on table and
 Check the stock for nails,
screws, and loose knots
before sawing.
 Be certain that hand tools
and loose stock are removed
from the saw table.
 Ensure that all clamps and
locking handles are properly
tightened.
Operating band saw
Turn the saw on by switching the
button to the “ON” position.
Proceed to cut material by
pushing stock forward through
blade.
revolution per minutes (RPM). Keep
the saw blade clean and sharp. Please
ensure the electrical cord had been
disconnected from the electrical
outlet during this process. Reconnect
once complete.
Cut, injury Ensure that the upper and lower
wheel guard doors are closed when
running.
Cut, injury Ensure adjustable parts are secure
Electrical Caution: Always remember to
shock disconnect the electrical power cord
before changing blades.
Strain, Use the proper lifting techniques, ask
Struck by for assistance or obtain a mechanical
lifting device.
Struck by Devote your individual attention to
flying the work being performed.
debris, Keep the blade guard and glide only
laceration, ¼” above your stock.
injury
Twisting Avoid awkward work positions; they
could result in slips which may cause
contact with the saw blade.
Cut Allow the saw to reach full speed
before starting a cut.
Curt,  Ensure that material is held firmly
struck, against the guide fence and table
strain, before starting a cut.
kickback  Keep a firm grip and slowly control
the saw through the cut.
 Support long pieces of stock.
 Always stand with your face and
body to one side of the saw blade.
 To control the stock, use push sticks,
feather boards, or any other safety
device when cutting small or short
stock.
 Always keep your fingers and hands
 away from the path off the blade.
 Use a “V” block when cutting
cylindrical stock.
 Cut relief cuts prior to cutting long
or tight curves. The relief cuts will
free the blade of tension of the tight
curve and the wood will fall away.
The blade size will dictate the radius
of the cut.
Turn off band saw by switching Always turn the power off and wait
the button to the “OFF” position. for the blade to stop.
Remove stock material. Cut After the power is turned off, wait
until the blade stops before removing
the stock. Never stop the blade by
allowing it to cut into any material.
Clean work area and return all Injury Ensure adequate housekeeping
PPE to clean, dry storage area. measures to prevent accidents.
Required Training: Operator should be provided with a safety orientation prior to use.
Review the manufacturer’s safety instructions and operating procedures prior to use.
Required Personal Safety glasses, leather gloves if blades must be touched, face shield in addition to safety
Protective Equipment glasses if stock material chips severely and full cover shoes
(PPE):
Created: Formatted for Berea CollegeSeptember 2010

For more information about this JSA, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Department at Berea College:
E-mail: Leslie_Kaylor@Berea.edu or Mike_Morris@Berea.edu
Phone Number: (859) 958-3350

The development of Job Safety Analyses is a very effective means of helping reduce incidents, accidents, and injuries in
the workplace. It is an excellent tool to use for training purposes and can also be used to investigate “near misses”
and accidents.