Masonry saws are sharp and dangerous tools, so they shouldn’t be used by inexperienced individuals. They are used to cut tiles, stones, bricks and other hard materials. Hand-held, wheeled by motor or mounted on a fixed stand, masonry saws expose the workers to hazards, such as dust, kick-back, cutting of the blades, pull-ins and others. Because masonry saw is very versatile and useful, it finds use in many industries. Depending on the quality, size, brand and attachments, masonry saw varies in price. However, it is important to look for a reputable supplier who not only has masonry saw on sale, but also attachments and safety gear. Regardless of the type, certain safety rules need to be followed to minimize the safety risks when operating with a masonry saw.
- A person without prior training and practiceshould not work with a masonry saw. Masonry saws expose workers to many hazards, so it is always better to prevent than to treat or cure.
- One of the most important preventive tip is to always wear proper safety equipment. Safety glasses, footwear, head protection, hearing protection and respiratory equipment if required, are the most important things you must wear when working with masonry saw.
- Alwaysreadthemasonrysawmanualbefore you begin with work. Each masonry saw has specific cutting techniques, so read the manual to avoid using your masonry saw te wrong way.
- Before each use, inspect the saw for possible defects. It is important to detect and fix a defect before you start working to prevent accidents and major injuries.
- Masonry saws create dust which is a very serious threat for the health of the workers. Breathing in too much of this dust can lead to lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive lung disease and decrease the lung function. Not only to the saw operator, but this dust is a threat to the health of other workers present in the workshop. Fortunately, there are dust reduction systems which use water to reduce the amount of airborne dust generated.
- Make sure to position the masonry saw on flat and firm surface with maximum stability. It is very important the surface not to move while sawing. Also, keep your fingers off of the cutting blade’s path while holding materials against the backstop. If you use a wet-cutting masonry saw, make sure to position the saw on a platform with a constant supply of water.
- Never leave a saw unattended when running. Instead, turn it off and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
