Abstract

Edgers and circular gang resaws are used in almost all Québec sawmills. Almost 7% of all accidents in sawmills are caused by these machines kicking out pieces of wood. Previous observations at fifteen sawmills and three furniture manufacturers resulted in the formulation of a number of recommendations aimed at reducing the hazards presented by these kickbacks.

Following observation of existing systems, an experimental anti-kickback device was developed and validated in the laboratory. The device was refined in the field under actual operating conditions. Observations during the two months preceding and the four months following introduction of the device revealed it to be effective.

The implementation of this system should significantly reduce the number and severity of kickback-related accidents, and has the added advantage of providing a basis for standardised manufacturing, maintenance, and operating procedures for circular saws. In 1990 and 1991, the IRSST, in collaboration with the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (Québec Industrial Research Centre), evaluated the production costs of this device. The IRSST has begun to transfer the results of the design and trial stages to a manufacturer.