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.
Based on the injury data obtained in a 2007 and 2008 CPSC special study (pdf), 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 dollars 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 (pdf)
- Commissioner Robert Adler (pdf)
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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