Comments I submitted to CPSC

 

I stayed cool, and sat on the draft I prepared last week before submitting to CPSC. Simple editing, erasing (for the most part) most of my rant, while allowing some text to stay in what I submitted. I have no idea why the maximum text allowed is only 2,000 characters (including spaces!), as it seriously limits the thought and argument process. But maybe it is best that way, to force good, reasonable thoughts and comments submitted?

Regardless, the following is the text I submitted to CPSC:

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Important questions about the injury:

I believe the following must be answered by someone at some point, as it is not obvious to me that it has been addressed anywhere, by anyone – did Osorio:

1. Truly know HOW to use the table saw?
2. If “No”, why did his employer allow continued use of the table saw?
3. Did the employer have a safety program in place that required his (potential or even his experienced) workers to show competency when using an inherently dangerous tool such a table saw? See # 2, above.

A challenge to Gass:

1. Are you prepared to accept that MORE EDUCATION of users of table saws is also required, to minimize the risk of similar injuries continuing to occur?
2. We NEED retrofit capability for this to TRULY reduce the number of injuries, IF the figures can be believed at all!

What is needed:

1. Take a bit more time, and try to get a better, more real answer to the cost of table saw injuries.
2. Allow the public to attend public sessions – these sessions will present table saw safety, the Dos and the Don’ts. Is this option really a good option?
3. Include educational materials with every table saw sold, in both printed matter, and video material on DVD.
4. OR create a central repository of table saw safety material, including printed matter and video material, make it accessible to everyone, and somehow make sure every woodworker using a table saw reads it.
5. Hold in-store “tests”. A newcomer must “pass” the test before he can load the machine on his truck, SUV, or VW.
6. Is something like this Prohibition all over again? Will a black market in used table saws develop, as a result of table saws not having SawStop technology on board?
7. Or is this the end of sub-$1,000 table saws, and the beginning of only over-$3,000 table saws?

— Al Navas