On Mar 22, 12:16*pm, Glen wrote:
On 3/21/2010 9:52 AM, dustyone wrote: All,

Isn't it possible that if allowed to stand, this judgement would drive
other saw manufacturers to adopt this technology? *Cost would likely
be more, at first, but with wider use, the cost would necessarily get
lower over time. *Wouldn't this be an improvement in safety for us
all?

Curt Blood

Improvement in safety is important, but something must be said for
personal responsibility. *Unless the saw itself malfunctioned in some
way, the onus for safety rests with the operator. *The greatest
"improvement in safety" would be to ban the use of all table saws. *Saws
would then be 100% safe. *I don't see that as a practical solution, however.

At work, I teach HS woodshop, we use a SawStop. *Considering some of the
kids I get in my beginning classes, it was a wise investment. While I
still am an "absolute *******" about safety in school, I do breathe a
bit easier having this particular saw there.

At my home shop I use a more traditional saw. *Safety is my
responsibility. *I have a good guard that I use, I have push sticks of
various configurations and most importantly, I know and utilize good
practices of saw safety. *Having been in the business for a long time,
and having worked with my father for many years prior to that, I have
met many woodworkers (some of whom, unfortunately, have also been
woodshop teachers) missing one or more body parts. *I can safely state
that every individual with whom I have ever spoken who has lost a digit
to a saw knew full well that it was his own fault, and not the fault of
the manufacturer. *I accept the fact that, perhaps, some of you may know
of some digitless operators who blame their tool, but I personally know
of none.

Perhaps it is everything that I currently see around me of individuals
placing the blame on outside forces, but I, for one, am growing tired of
this. *If I choose to work when I am tired or inebriated, that is my own
stupidity. *If I do not know how to operate a saw safely that is my own
stupid choice. *The manufacturer did not force me to operate their saw,
I chose to operate it, and I must be willing to take responsibility for
my decision. *Even with the SawStop, there is a key that turns off the
safety mechanism. *Should I turn it off, should I be able to sue them
for providing this turn off mechanism?

I believe that there are some countries that do not allow the use of
dado blades on home saws. *(Limits on arbor length?) *This, as I
understand it, is to make saw operation mor safe. *Maybe I am strange,
but I don't want the government telling me that I can't use a dado blade
because they believe that I am too ignorant to use it safely.

I try to avoid "****ing matches" on the rec and I don't mean to start
one, but I had to have my say.

Glen

Glen, As I read, it became clear that the guy who was injured filed
for Workman's Comp, which he got because he was on the job, working
with a tool supplied to him by his employer. The WC lawyer on the case
decided to recoup some losses, and sued TTI--Ryobi's parent company.
Obviously, he saw deeper pockets than most people, as well as a level
of blame that most of us (or so I fervently hope) wouldn't. I've used
that saw. It has standard safety features, unless you detach them.

It was not the guy using the saw who filed the suit: I'd venture a
guess he had no say in it. As someone else said, a Speaking Weasel got
into the mix early (my apologies to all weasels out there).

The U.S. has been in serious need of tort reform for over 40 years
now.

Care is a great accident reducer, too. I've been banged around and
nicked and bit by a variety of tools over the years, including table
saws, and damned near tore a knee cap off with poor technique while
using a chainsaw, but generally, I've lost nothing but skin in the
upwards of 55 years I've been doing such things. My worst injuries
came with off-road motorcycles--maybe I should sue to make them pay to
fix my knees. Unfortunately, I think the company folded about the time
I quit riding. Ah well. It was my fault, anyway. No one held a gun to
my head.