CPSC Announces ANPR for Table Saws to Address Serious Hand and Finger Injuries

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Oct 17, 2011, 01:41 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to address the large number of serious hand and finger injuries that occur each year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) aimed at improving the safety of table saws.

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Based on the injury data obtained in a 2007 and 2008 CPSC special study, staff's injury cost model estimates that consumers suffered about 67,300 medically treated blade contact injuries annually—with an associated injury cost of $2.36 billion in each of those two years.

CPSC staff estimates from its 2007 and 2008 study of emergency department treated injuries related to table saws, that consumers suffered, on average, about 11 fractures, 11 amputations, and 8 avulsions every day from contact with the saw blade.

The ANPR invites written comments from the public regarding the risks of injury associated with table saws and ways in which these risks could be addressed. Following publication of the ANPR, the public will have 60 days to provide comments to the Commission. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov.

Commissioner Statements on this vote:
Chairman Inez Tenenbaum statement
Commissioner Robert Adler statement

CPSC Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission