Saw Kickback Expert Overview

Hand-held circular saw (“skil saw”), table saw, and miter saw hand injuries are frequently caused by the occurrence of kickback. This article discusses causes of kickbacks as they relate to litigation.

Saw Injuries Caused by Hand-Held Circular Saw, Table Saw & Miter Saw Kickbacks

Kickback can occur with virtually any tool that employs a powered spinning saw blade. This phenomenon occurs when the teeth of the saw blade, moving at tip speeds of up to120 mph, impart sufficient force to cause the workpiece to move in a violent and unexpected manner.

• Circular saw kickback tends to throw the saw backwards towards the operator, with the blade often running over fingers as it moves backwards.
• Table saw kickback tends to throw the workpiece backward at the operator, often dragging a hand backwards through the blade or causing the operator to fall forward into the blade.
• Miter saw kickback tends to cause the workpiece to fold into a “v” shape, throwing the operator’s hand towards the blade.

The cause of an incident can be reliably and scientifically determined by examining guarding, work support, body posture, warnings, instructions, training, and other contributing conditions.

Table Saw Kickback Scenario

As shown in the diagram above, a hazardous kickback situation can occur when boards are ripped (cut lengthwise) and lumber is pinched between the blade and another point on the saw, such as a guide (rip fence).

Kickbacks can also occur if the blade catches on an irregularity, such as a knot, in the lumber. In either case, more resistance is required to move the lumber forward, than back, and the energy of the rotating blade forces the lumber in the opposite direction.

Investigating Causation in Kickback Cases

There are various scenarios that can cause a saw blade to catch the stock and move either the saw or the workpiece in a violent and unexpected manner.  

Kickback incidents are prevented through a combination of safety equipment and technique. In litigation, experts often seek to determine if operators were properly trained on the saw they were using and if they were provided with the appropriate equipment to safely perform the task at hand.

Discovery Items for Cases involving Saw Kickbacks

For all Kickback Cases:

• The make/model of the saw
• A list of all manufacturer-provided safety equipment and literature available to the user
• The material (stock) that was being cut
• The dimensions of the workpiece (length/width/thickness)
• The condition of the blade prior to the incident
• The training or experience the operator had with the incident tool and cutting procedure

Equipment-Specific Questions:

Table Saws & Rip Saws:

• Was a spreader or riving knife used to prevent material from squeezing the saw blade?
• Were anti-kickback fingers (pawls) used to prevent kickback?
• Was the operator performing a rip or cross-cut?
• At what height and angle was the blade set?
• Were the miter guide and/or rip fence used to perform the cut?
• Were push sticks or jigs of any sort used to facilitate cutting? Where was the operator standing in relation to the saw when performing the cut?

Miter Saws:

• How was the workpiece supported?
• Were clamps used to secure the workpiece for cutting?
• At what angles (miter/bevel) was the saw set for cutting?
• If so equipped, was the sliding function used to perform the cut?

Circular Saws:

• At what angle and depth was the blade set for cutting?
• Was the workpiece secured by clamp or other method for cutting?
• Was a guide or jig utilized to facilitate cutting?

Woodworking Tools Investigations

Our experts are regularly retained in casework involving lacerations, amputations, and deaths that are associated with the use or misuse of saws and other woodworking tools. The scope of our investigations can include equipment operation and maintenance as well as various safety features, such as guards, protective equipment, and flesh sensing technology units (SawStop).

For more information, submit an inquiry or call us at 800.813.6736.

Featured Expert

Dale J. Cagwin, P.E.

Mechanical Engineer & Building Systems Expert

This expert is no longer accepting new assignments. Dale Cagwin is a Mechanical Engineer with extensive experience in building systems, industrial processes, and machine guarding. As a professional… read more.