Consider These Safety Issues When Using Concrete Cutting Saws

Power tools can pose a huge risk to your safety as they are extremely dangerous, especially those that are used for concrete cutting. Equipment such as power saws must be handled with care as the blade may cause fatal accidents. You can call Murrays Concrete Cutting to secure the right power tool. Safety should be the most important issue when you need to select any kind of power saw.

Below are some important safety issues that you may consider:

Types of saws

When it comes to cutting concrete you will come across several options. These include wire saws, wall saws, conventional chainsaws, and cut-off saws, among others. The conventional cut out saw uses a disc blade. However, you will also find those with abrasive blades, diamond blades, and custom chainsaw blades.

A large number of saws are equipped with electric motors while others have gas engines and others are hydraulic. You must know the engine types available so that you can follow the safety procedure. You can pick the one that you need from any Brisbane commercial construction specialist.

Safety issues with saw blades

When it comes to saws, it is vital to ensure guards are effectively positioned and maintained. The blades should be kept straight and tight. Also, you must use the right blade for every task.

Diamond blades are given preference for cutting concrete and are more effective than abrasive blades. They are also cheaper than several other options available. There are various choices available in diamond blades. If you fail to use them for the right application the blade may break. You must also check that the blade is not damaged as they may break during cutting if they are. A damaged blade will tend to overheat and that may lead to cracking. If you need to check the saw blade’s condition, you should tap it and if the blade produces a ringing sound, it is likely that the blade is damaged. You should regularly check the saw blades’ condition to make sure that they are in good condition. You can contact Brisbane new home builder to procure top quality diamond blades.

Threats of Kickback and Locking In

‘Kickback’ is when the saw pulls back to the user, while ‘locking in’ is when the blade gets jammed in concrete. These issues will hamper any cutting operation. However, you can avoid both of these with some available safety measures.

Kickback arises when the upper section of the cutting blade is blocked. If you want to avoid this, you must keep the saw’s blade spinning at the highest speed before cutting. Meanwhile, ‘locking in’ arises when the blade is pinched or shifted by movement. You can eliminate such a situation by creating a shallow guide groove prior to cutting deeply into concrete.

Irrespective of the aforementioned safety issues, it becomes imperative that workers and employers follow a safe environment. To maintain the safety of non-construction device operators, it is essential that they keep at least 50 m distance from any concrete cutting operations. According to Brisbane custom home building experts, the worker must wear the right protective equipment and take effective measures to eliminate risks linked to concrete cutters. This should include safety goggles that must be comfortable to the workers as they may have to wear them for longer periods.