Safer table saws may soon be required by law, potentially reducing the risk of severed fingers.

– Tom Noffsinger almost lost his thumb in a table saw accident about 20 years ago
– Table saws are considered the most dangerous power tool, causing around 30,000 blade-contact injuries requiring medical treatment each year in the U.S.
– SawStop is a table saw with a safety feature that stops and retracts the spinning blade upon contact with flesh
– The CPSC is moving forward to mandate a similar safety brake on all new table saws sold in the U.S.
– Manufacturers have opposed the new rule, citing increased costs for consumers
– SawStop technology has saved many woodworkers from injury since its introduction in 2004
– SawStop has pledged to allow manufacturers to produce safer saws regardless of their patents
– The move to develop similar safety features has been met with resistance by the power tool industry
– The CPSC believes a mandatory safety standard is necessary as voluntary standards have not reduced the risk of injury
– Saw injuries from table saws are challenging to repair and typically require extensive surgery
– Some, like Dale Juntunen, believe mandating new safety technology may not prevent injuries, as people may hold onto old saws instead



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