Summary of Safe Operating Procedures for the Table Saw (printable version)
Do not crosscut boards less than 12” wide with the rip fence.
Make sure the miter guide is locked in at the correct angle.
Do not use a fence and miter guide at the same time without using a spacer or gauge block.
To rip, the material must be straight and true on at least one face and one edge.
Check that the rip fence is securely latched in place before beginning a rip cut.
Always use the proper blade for the job
Disconnect the main power switch when changing blades or whenever the throat plate is removed. See picture -> [work in progress, to insert picture]
Do not adjust the fence or miter guide while the saw is running.
Do not ever attempt to “freehand” wood through a table saw. Always use a fence or miter guide.
Make sure the blade can move freely and is not contacting the workpiece before turning on the saw.
Use a featherboard when ripping narrow boards.
Use a blade guard with splitter and anti-kickback fingers whenever possible, and particularly when ripping.
If not using a blade guard, always use a riving knife (except with a dado blade)
Adjust the blade height so that the bottoms of the gullets between the teeth are at or just below the surface of the board you are cutting.
Using a zero-clearance insert will prevent small strips from being drawn down with the blade and causing a jam.
Use a GR-Ripper or other push pad or push stick whenever the blade guard is not in place or whenever the fence is less than 6” from the blade.
Do not stand directly in line with the blade.
Do not put your hands within 4 inches of a moving blade.
Never force wood that will not move freely.
Do not reach over or behind the blade to retrieve a cutoff until the blade has stopped completely.
Do not release the work piece until it is clear of the blade.
Never walk away from the saw while it is still running. Wait for the blade to coast to a stop.