Table Saw Injuries to Adults and to Children

There’s a new retrospective analysis study examining table saw injuries in children and adults. The study is published in the January 8, 2010 issue of The Journal of Trauma.

ABASTRACT

The Journal of Trauma: POST AUTHOR CORRECTIONS, 8 January 2010

doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e3181b28ad3

Original Article: PDF Only

Nonoccupational Table Saw-Related Injuries Treated in US Emergency Departments, 1990-2007 Shields, Brenda J. MS; Wilkins, John R. III BCE, DrPH; Smith, Gary A. MD, DrPH

The findings are pretty straightforward and can be summarized as follows:

1. Children are more likely to be injured at school.

2. Adults more likely to be injured at home.

3. Fingers and thumbs were more likely to be injured.

4. Amputations occur about 10% of the time.

5. Amputations involve mostly fingers and thumbs.

6. 8% of the time the injured person is hospitalized.

7. Lacerations are the most common type of injury.

8. The table saw is associated with more injuries than any other woodworking tool.

9. Recommended safety measures include reading the manual and keeping the saw out of an area where children have access.

10. New technology is being developed to avoid serious injuries. An example is the SawStop. In central Iowa the closest dealer is at the Woodsmith Store, 10320 Hickman Road, Clive, Iowa.

So why is all of this important?

This study is important for shop teachers in high schools across the nation and parents whose children are taking shop class where a table saw or other woodworking tools are going to be used.