Worker injured in sawmill incident - 18.7.19

SafeWork NSW is investigating an incident in which a sawmiller was injured after being struck on the head by the rotating blade on a circular saw.

SafeWork NSW said the Cessnock worker had stopped to clear a blockage but the saw had not stopped rotating.

The worker was taken to a hospital with lacerations following the incident.

Every year, thousands of workers in NSW who use machinery suffer horrific and life-changing injuries.

According to SafeWork SA, most circular saw incidents occur due to kickback, a term used when the blade becomes jammed by the material being cut.

This causes the circular saw to retract very quickly backward out of the saw cut, allowing the blade to make contact with whatever is in its path, often the operator’s hand or leg, causing cuts.

Source: OHS News