Masonry Magazine February 1961 Page. 37
MCAA
Accident Prevention
Data Sheet No. 1
Operation of Masonry Saws
The Accident Prevention Committee of the Mason Contractors Association of America in cooperation with Masonry Saw manufacturers and the National Safety Council developed the following practices for safe operation of masonry saws.
It is suggested that a copy of these safe practices be issued to each operator with instructions they be followed. Additional copies available from MCAA, 208 South La Salle St., Chicago 4, III.
Check Before Operating
1-Electrically operated saws should be grounded.
2-Do not touch switch or motor with wet hands or while standing in water.
3-Belts and pulleys should be guarded.
4-An adequate guard should be used on the blade at all times.
5-A secondary closure should be installed at the front opening of the blade guard to prevent pieces of the blade from spraying should the blade shatter.
6-If cutting dry out of doors place saw so the wind will carry dust away from the operator; if cutting indoors provide a fan for this purpose or equip the saw with an exhaust.
7-Make certain the head shaft is positively secured to the columns to prevent accidental pulling out of the complete head assembly.
8-Always keep the spindle shaft slightly below the head pivot shaft in order to prevent the unguarded portion of the blade from being exposed directly to the operator.
9-Conveyor cart rollers should be in good condition to move the material through the blade without causing it to bind in a cut.
Operating
1-Goggles or face shields should be worn by saw operators.
2-Keep floor free of tripping and slipping hazards.
3-Hold material firmly with fingers as far from cut as possible and with material against the conveyer cart back stop.
4-Never allow anyone to pass or stand directly behind the saw. This is dangerous if the blade breaks or the material is snatched out of the operator's grasp.
Replacing the Blade
1-Disconnect electric supply or shut engine off to prevent accidental starting of the saw.
2-Mount the blade carefully on the hub and make certain no foreign material is on the blade clamping dises.
3-Abrasive blades should be mounted with blotters between the blade and both the inside and outside dises to cushion the clamping of the blade and compensate for the uneveness of the blade.
4-Do not use blotters with diamond blades unless the dises will not clamp the blade securely and then under the outside disc only.
5-Bring the clamping nut up snug.
6-Do not use a hammer or brick to tighten wing nuts. To do so may fracture the blade or damage the spindle bearings. Defective spindle bearings can cause blade breakage due to the flexing the blade will receive in the cut, and will also create a pull on the material which could cause the operator to loose his grasp of the material.
7-Make sure the blade clamping dises and the blade are running through to the axis of the spindle. Otherwise the blade will wobble and have the same affect as noted above.
8-After first mounting an abrasive blade, let the machine run idle for about ten minutes before cutting. It the blade is fractured as a result of handling or shipping, it will break before it is even used.
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
208 South LaSalle Street, Chicago 4, III.
MASONRY FEBRUARY, 1961
35