Cut-Off Saw Safety

• Blade or wheel contact injuries
• Wheel failure causing flying fragments
• Kickback or binding during cutting
• Sparks igniting nearby combustibles
• Dust, fumes, noise, and vibration exposure
• Material shifting, falling, or pinching the blade

Cut-off saws are powerful tools used to cut metal, concrete, masonry, pipe, and other materials. They create serious hazards from rotating wheels, sparks, dust, and kickback.

Workers should inspect the saw before use. Guard, wheel, arbor, handle, switch, cord or fuel system, base, clamp, and controls should be checked.

The correct wheel must be used for the saw speed and material. Damaged, cracked, loose, or incorrect wheels can fail during operation.

Guards should remain in place and be positioned to protect the worker from fragments, sparks, and wheel contact.

Material should be supported and secured before cutting. Poor support can cause the cut to close, bind the wheel, or throw the material.

Workers should keep hands, feet, and body parts out of the cut path and avoid standing directly in line with the wheel when possible.

Sparks, dust, and fumes should be controlled. Combustibles, flammable liquids, dust, and nearby workers should be protected.

Safe cut-off saw use depends on inspection, correct wheel selection, guarding, material support, PPE, and stopping immediately if the wheel binds, cracks, or vibrates.

• Inspect the saw and wheel before use.
• Use the correct wheel for the material.
• Keep guards in place.
• Secure and support material before cutting.
• Keep body parts out of the cut path.
• Control sparks, dust, and nearby combustibles.
• Wear eye, face, hearing, respiratory, and hand protection as needed.

• Is the wheel rated for the saw and material?
• Are guards installed and adjusted correctly?
• Is the material secured against movement or binding?
• Could sparks or dust affect nearby workers or combustibles?
• What PPE is needed for this cut?