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CPSC- Table Saw Study

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the purpose of this study? / What is this study about?

This study, sponsored by the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, is about 

identifying table saw usage patterns and finding out more about user experiences with the 

new modular blade guard. The study findings will be used to help reduce table saw 

injuries. 

2) What Federal Agency is supporting this work?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is the sponsor of this study. The CPSC 

is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death 

associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under agency's 

jurisdiction.

3) What type of information will be collected?

The survey questions will be asking about your experiences with your table saw. 

4) What are the procedures / phases of the study?

First, you will be asked a few screening questions to see if you are eligible to participate. 

If you meet the requirements, you will be contacted by EurekaFacts for the full survey. 

5) How long does the telephone survey take? 

The screening takes less than 10 minutes and the full survey takes 25 minutes. 

6) When will you call me to do the survey?

Someone from EurekaFacts will call you, at your convenience, between [INSERT 

DATE] and [INSERT DATE].You will have the opportunity to provide a convenient 

timeframe, if it is determined that you qualify for the study.

7) When will I receive the $50? 

You will receive a $50 check upon completing the 25 minute, full survey. Allow 2-3 

weeks for processing.

8) Who is Westat?

Westat is a research company in Rockville, MD, that is under contract to the U.S. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission to recruit table saw users for this study. For more 

information about Westat, you may visit http://www.westat.com.

9) Who is EurekaFacts?

EurekaFacts is a research firm that will be conducting the full survey for this study. For 

more information about EurekaFacts, you may visit http://www.eurekafacts.com.

10) Who should I contact if I have further questions about the study? 

You may contact Christine Horak, Director of Research and Analytics

 at EurekaFacts. Her phone number is (301) 610-0590.
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SCREENER FOR THE TABLE SAW STUDY

 RESPONDENT NUMBER |___|___|___|___|

DISCLOSURE: [The information that you provide is voluntary and will be kept private to the extent 

provided by law.]

I certify that the following answers are true and correct |_____________________________|

 WEB SIGNATURE

 NAME__________________________________ PHONE_____________________________

1. What is your age? |___|___|

AGE

IF AGE 17 OR YOUNGER.....................1 [END INTERVIEW]

AGES 18+................................................2 [GO TO 2]

2. What is your gender?

MALE .......................................................................1 [GO TO 3]

FEMALE.....................................2 [GO TO 3]

3. Do you own a table saw?

YES....................................1 [GO TO 4]

NO......................................2 [END SURVEY]

4. When did you purchase your table saw?

 |__________| [END SURVEY IF IT IS BEFORE 2009]

 YEAR PURCHASED [IF IT IS AFTER 2009- GO TO Q5]

 I did not purchase it (gift, barter).......................YES [ASK THE YEAR RECEIVED.]

 |__________| YEAR RECEIVED

[END SURVEY IF IT IS BEFORE 2009] [IF IT IS AFTER 2009- GO TO Q5]
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5. Did you purchase/receive your table saw new or used?

NEW...........................................1 [GO TO Q6]

USED..........................................2 [GO TO Q6]

6. How old was your table saw when you purchased/received it?

It was brand new.........................................YES [GO TO Q7]

It was |__________| years old. [IF THE PURCHASE YEAR AND THE 

MANUFACTURER YEAR OF THE TABLE SAW COMBINATION IS LESS THAN 

2009, END SURVEY] [Ex: Bought it in 2010, it was used and it was 4 years old= most 

likely an 2006 model]

Don’t Know.................................................................. [GO TO Q7]

7. How much did your table saw cost when you bought/received it?

 

 |___$__________________| [GO TO Q8]

 PRICE

 I DID NOT PAY FOR IT ( gift, barter)....................................YES [ GO TO Q8]

 

8. Did your table saw come with a blade guard system?

YES ..................................................1[GO TO Q9]

NO.......................................2 [END INTERVIEW]

DON’T KNOW.........................3 [GO TO Q9]

9. Which of the following best describes the blade guard that came with your table saw?

The blade guard is a solid, hinged piece that moves up and down 

over the blade (Please see picture 1).............................................1 [END SURVEY]

The blade guard has two hinged, side pieces that move up and down over the top and side of the 

blade, and can lock in the upper position ( Please see picture 2)...................2[GO TO Q10]

 None of these ......................................................................3 [END SURVEY]

 I don't know........................................................................4[END SURVEY]
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 Picture 1 Picture 2

10. Which of the following best describes where you most commonly use your table saw?

At home for recreational purposes only...............................1 [GO TO Q11]

At work only ..............................................................2 [END SURVEY]

 At home for recreational purposes and for work.....................3 [GO TO Q11]

 Other places, specify (e.g. recreational woodworker club) .........4[END SURVEY]

 I don’t use the table saw.....................................................5 [END 

SURVEY]

11. When was the last time you used your table was saw?

|______________| |__________|

MONTH YEAR

 [IF IT IS MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, END INTERVIEW]

12. What is the manufacturer name and the model number of that table saw?

a. MANUFACTURER NAME |_________________________________________|

b. MODEL NUMBER |_________________________________________|

c. SERIAL NUMBER |_________________________________________|

13. How did you find out about this survey?[ SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]

Craigslist ad.........................................1

From local woodworkers club....................2

Print Media (Newsletter, magazine).............3

Word of mouth......................................4

E-mail................................................5

Other [Specify]......................................6
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14. Someone will call you from Eureka Facts between [INSERT DATE] and 

[INSERT DATE]. What is the best phone number, time and day to reach you? 

This will take about 25 minutes of your time or less and Eureka Facts will send 

you a $50check after the interview is completed. 

 PHONE: ___________________________

DATE: _____________________________

TIME: _____________________________

These are all the questions I have for you today, thank you for your time and have a great 

day. 
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Modular Blade Guard Use Survey

Interviewer: Do not read aloud the “Don’t know/Refused” option at any time during the 

interview. Only record this option if the respondent provides it him or herself. If the 

respondent indicates that they don’t know the answer to a question, mark the 

appropriate answer or fill in “DK” in the space provided. 

I. Contact

(1) Hello. May I speak with ____________________?

Do not read the choices aloud. Mark the appropriate choice. 

• Person is available Skip to Q3

• Person is unavailable 

(2) When is a good time to contact him/her? Interviewer: Terminate interview until the 

recruited respondent is available. Do not substitute respondents.

____________________

(3) Hello. I’m ______________. I am with EurekaFacts, a research company located in 

Maryland. We are performing a study for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

to learn more about table saw blade guard use. You indicated that you’d be willing to be

part of this study by contacting Westat based on their outreach effort. The survey should 

take about 25 minutes to complete, and if you qualify and complete the survey will 

receive $50 to thank them for their time. Are you still interested in participating in this 

survey?

• Agreed 

• Refused  Interviewer: Terminate interview. Inform the respondent that 

the $50 incentive is not provided for incomplete interviews.

II. Demographic Data Verification

(4) There is some information that we need to verify before we begin the survey. This will 

only take a few moments.

(5) We have your age recorded as ____. Is this correct? 

Interviewer: Fill in the blank with the age provided by Westat. Do not read the 

choices. If age is not provided, then ask “What is your age?” and fill in the 

results in the “No” response and indicate the respondent’s age. 

a) Yes

b) No, the correct age is _______.

c) Refused

(6) Our records indicate that the manufacturer of your saw is __________. Is this correct?

Interviewer: Fill in the blank with the information provided from Westat. 

IF this information is not available from the screener, ask: Who is the manufacturer 

of your table saw? (If the respondent does not have this information, and 
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cannot/will not obtain it while on the phone, enter “Don’t Know” and move to the 

next question.) 

a) Yes

b) No  Who is the correct manufacturer? ___________

c) Don’t know/refuse

(7) Our records indicate that the model of your saw is __________. Is this correct?

Interviewer: Fill in the blank with the information provided from Westat. 

IF this information is not available from the screener, ask: What is the model name or 

number of your table saw? (If the respondent does not have this information, and 

cannot/will not obtain it while on the phone, enter “Don’t Know” and move to the 

next question.) 

a) Yes

b) No  What is the model of your table saw? ___________

c) Don’t know/refused

III. The Participant’s Table Saw

(8) To begin, I have a few questions about your table saw. Do you know if your saw is a 

portable bench saw, a contractor saw, an industrial saw also called a cabinet saw, or 

some other type of saw? 

a) Yes Portable bench saw (Skip to Q10)

b) Yes Contractor saw (Skip to Q 10)

c) Yes Cabinet/Stationary/Industrial saw (Skip to Q 10)

d) Other Type (Please specify)_ _______Interviewer: Note and continue if 

R identifies “hybrid saw.” Terminate for any other mention (hand saw, 

circular saw, band saw, jigsaw, sabre saw, or hacksaws, etc). 

e) Don’t Know  Go to Q 9

(9) Interviewer: Please read the definitions provided below to identify the type of saw 

owned. Terminate interview if respondent does not own at least one of the three 

saws identified below or says he/she only owns a hand saw, circular saw, band 

saw, jigsaw, sabre saw, or hacksaws, etc.

• A portable bench saw is a lightweight and compact table-top saw with an 

aluminum top and is easily moved around. This saw is typically set on a 

bench-top or other raised surface. Some models may include removable 

stands or foldable legs. 

• A contractor saw is a medium-duty, semi-portable machine that ranges from 

200 to 350 pounds. These saws usually feature a cast iron table top and 

have an open, attached stand or base that reaches to the floor. 

• A stationary saw also called a cabinet saw is a heavy-duty saw that sits on 

the floor, has a large table top and has a closed cabinet stand that reaches to 

the floor. It is also sometimes referred to as an industrial table saw.

Interviewer: If respondent does not provide answer ask: Do any of these 

descriptions match the saw that you own? If so, which type of saw do you 

own?
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a) Portable bench saw

b) Contractor saw

c) Stationary/Cabinet saw (also known as an industrial table saw)

d) Other Type (Please specify)  _________Interviewer: Note and 

continue if R identifies “hybrid saw.” Terminate for any other mention. 

e) None of these  Interviewer: Terminate interview. Inform the respondent 

that the $50 incentive is not provided for incomplete interviews.

f) Don’t know/Refused

(10) The blade guard of a table saw surrounds the portion of the blade protruding through the 

saw table top. The guard lifts out of the way when material is fed into the saw. Blade 

guards are commonly made of transparent plastic but sometimes of metal. A traditional 

blade guard has a single-piece hood resting over the saw blade. A modular blade guard 

system, also called a dual guard system, has two sections that operate independently on 

either side of the blade. 

Did the table saw come with a modular blade guard system or a traditional blade guard 

system? Interviewer: Verify that the respondent is considering only a modular 

blade guard system and not a traditional blade guard. 

a) Modular/dual blade guard system

b) Traditional blade guard system Verify that this is the accurate answer. 

Terminate interview if determined to be correct. They do not qualify for 

the study. They will not receive the $50 incentive. 

c) Did not come with a blade guard  Verify that this is the accurate answer. 

Terminate interview if determined to be correct. They do not qualify for 

the study. They will not receive the $50 incentive.

d) Don’t know/refused

(11) In what year did you purchase the table saw?

a) 2009

b) 2010

c) 2011

d) 2012

e) Other: _________________

f) Don’t know/Refused_________________

 I did not purchase it (gift, barter).......................YES  Ask the year received.

 |__________|

 YEAR RECEIVED

 

 If it is before 2009  Terminate interview. They do not qualify for the study. They will 

 not receive the $50 incentive.

If it is in/after 2009 GO TO Q12

(12) Was the table saw new or used when you purchased/received it? 

a) New, Skip to Q 14
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b) Used  Go to next (Q 13)

c) Don’t know/Refused, Skip to Q 14

(13) About how old was your saw when you purchased/received it? 

a) Less than 1 year

b) 1 year

c) 2-3 years

d) 4-5 years

e) Over 5 years

f) Other: _________________

g) Don’t know/refused

If the purchase year and the age of table saw combination is less than 2009, end survey. 

[Ex: Bought it in 2010, it was used and it was 4 years old= most likely a 2006 model.] 

Terminate interview. They do not qualify for the study. They will not receive the $50 

incentive.

 

(14) Interviewer: 

IF respondent purchased their saw NEW, read: “Approximately, how much did the 

table saw cost?” _________________

IF respondent purchased their saw USED, read: “Approximately, how much did the 

table saw cost when it was new?” _________________

Interviewer: If exact cost is unknown, try to get an estimate. Provide 

respondents with cost range categories. 

a) Under $100

b) $100- $199

c) $200- $499

d) $500- $999

e) $1,000 - $5,000

f) Over $5,000

g) Other: _________________

h) Don’t know/Refused

IV. Table Saw Use

(15) When was the last time you used the saw? Was it ... [Interviewer: Read categories,

begin at the most recent and stop at first “yes.” Do not read “Don’t know.”]

a) Within the last 30 days

b) Within the last 6 months

c) Within the last year

d) Within the last two years

e) Within the last three years

f) Other_______

g) Don’t know/Refused
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(16) How often do you use your table saw? Are you using it ... [Interviewer read 

categories, begin at the most frequent and stop at first “yes.” Do not read “Don’t 

know.”]

a) Every day

b) 2-3 times a week

c) Every week

d) 1 to 3 times per month 

e) Less than once a month, but more than twice a year 

f) 2 times per year or less

g) Other: _________________

h) Don’t know/Refused

(17) About how much time do you spend during a typical session when using your table saw?

Are you using it ... [Interviewer read categories, begin at the shortest length of time 

and go up and stop at first “yes.” Do not read “Don’t know.”]

a) Less than 30 minutes

b) 30 minutes to less than 1 hour

c) 1 hour

d) 1-2 hours 

e) 3-4 hours

f) More than four hours

g) Other: _________________

h) Don’t know/Refused

V. Blade Guard Use 

(18) When you bought your table saw did it come with the blade guard pre-installed?

 Do not read the choices aloud. Mark the appropriate choice. 

a) Yes, Skip to Q 21

b) No, it required installation Go to next (Q 19)

c) Don’t know, Skip to Q 21

(19) After you purchased your table saw, when did you install the blade guard? 

a) I installed it before using it the first time, Skip to Q 21

b) I installed it but only after using it first 

c) It has not yet been installed

d) Other_______, Skip to Q 21

e) Don’t know/Refused, Skip to Q 21

(20) I’m going to read a list of reasons why someone might use a table saw without installing 

the blade guard. Please answer yes or no for any that apply to you (Select all that 
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apply) INTERVIEWER: Read each option and wait for the respondent to answer yes 

or no. Do not read “Don’t know.”

a) They didn’t have time / Needed to finish the project quickly 

b) They did not need it

c) Because it would get in the way

d) They tried, but it was too difficult

e) The installation instructions were missing

f) They could not understand the instructions

g)

h) The parts were missing, If this was the only answer chosen, skip to Q 

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i) Was there another reason? What was it? (Please specify)___________

j) Don’t know/Refused

(21) Which of the following best describes the current condition of your blade guard?

a) It is in good condition, with no parts missing

b) It is generally in good condition, but some parts are missing

c) It is damaged but usable

d) It is damaged and not usable, 

e) Something else? )_(Please specify)__________

f) Don’t know/Refused

(22) Do you know of any circumstances that require the blade guard to be removed?

a. Yes, Please describe _________________________

b. No

(23) Thinking of the times you have used your current table saw, for which of the following 

reasons was ever the blade guard removed or positioned out of the way? Because it...

(allow multiple answers) INTERVIEWER: Read each option and wait for the 

respondent to answer yes or no.

Yes No Don’t 

know

a. Slows down cutting

b. Makes it harder to keep the table saw clear 

of saw dust

c. Makes cutting more difficult or awkward

d. Makes cutting less precise or lower in 

quality

e. Blocks my view of the wood while cutting

f. Blocks the lighting on the wood while 

cutting

g.

Makes it harder to control the wood while 

cutting
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h. It makes feeding the wood into the saw 

more difficult

i. Causes the wood to bind against the blade

j. It makes some types of cuts very difficult or 

impossible

Go to Q 24 (next)

k. Makes cleaning the table saw more difficult

l. Are there any other reasons why you 

removed the blade guard?

If yes, please elaborate:

___________________

Interviewer Note: Unless response is “j,” skip Q24 and go to Q25.

(24) You indicated that you remove the blade guard for certain types of cuts. For which of 

the following types of cuts do you remove the blade guard?

INTERVIEWER: Read each option and wait for the respondent to answer yes or no.

Yes No Don’t 

know

Cross cuts

Rip cuts

Miter cuts

Bevel cuts

Dado cuts

Other (Please describe) 

____________________________

(25) Thinking about all the times you have used your current table saw, how often did you 

operate the table saw with the blade guard removed or positioned out of the way of the 

cut? 

Interviewer: Read all the choices except don’t know, before obtaining the 

respondent’s answer.

a) Always 

b) Often

c) Sometimes 

d) Rarely

e) Never, Skip to Q 29

f) Don’t know/Refused, Skip to Q 29

(26) Interviewer Note: If respondent has never removed the blade guard, do not ask: 

After you remove the blade guard, when do you typically re-install the blade guard? 

a) After finishing the task for which it was removed,
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b) The next time you use the saw, 

c) The next cut that can be done with the blade guard,

d) Some other time  Go to Q27

e) Never

f) Don’t know/Refused, 

Interviewer: Unless otherwise noted, skip to Q 28.

(27) When is that, typically? ________ Interviewer: Gain as much detail as possible. If 

needed, follow-up and ask:

Please describe when you return the blade guard to use.

___________________________

(28) When the table saw is not in use, where is your blade guard typically stored? 

a) On the saw, mounted over the saw blade. 

b) Near the saw, but not mounted on the saw (This includes anywhere in the 

workshop, but not mounted over the saw blade.) 

c) In some other location. Where? ________________________

d) Don’t know/Refused

(29) Do you think the use of the modular blade guard improves, does not affect, or reduces 

each of the following: 

Improves Does not 

affect Reduces Don’t know

The quality of work when cutting 

with the table saw 1 2 3 4

The ease of cleaning the table saw 1 2 3 4

The speed of work done with the 

table saw 1 2 3 4

The ability to see the wood while 

cutting 1 2 3 4

(30) The riving knife (sometimes called the “splitter”) is located on the rear side of the blade. 

Do you generally keep the riving knife in the high, middle, or stored position?

a) High

b) Middle 

c) Stored

d) Don’t know/Refused

(31) Thinking about all the times you have used your current table saw have you experienced 

kickback?

a) Yes

b) No Skip to Q 33
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c) Don’t know/Refused Skip to Q 33

(32) About how many times have you experienced kickback when using your current table 

saw? ______________________________

VI. Table Saw Experience

(33) Which of the following best describes your level of expertise using table saws: casual 

user, hobbyist, regular user, semiprofessional, or professional? 

a) Casual user / Hobbyist

b) Semiprofessional

c) Professional

d) Don’t know/Refused 

(34) On a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 is the lowest skill level and 7 is the highest, how would 

you assess your table saw skills level?

 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(35) How many years have you been using table saws?

__________________

(36) Have you ever used a traditional blade guard with a table saw? 

Interviewer: If needed, remind the respondent the difference between a traditional 

blade guard system and the modular blade guard system. A traditional blade guard 

has a single-piece hood resting over the saw blade. A modular blade guard system, 

also called dual guard system, has two sections that operate independently on either 

side of the blade. 

a) Yes Go to Q37

b) No Skip to Q39

c) Don’t know/Refused Skip to Q39

(37) Please compare your use of the modular blade guards to your use of traditional blade 

guards. Have you used the modular blade guard more or less frequently, or about the 

same as the traditional blade guards?

a) More frequently 

b) Less frequently 

c) About the same

d) Don’t know/Refused

(38) Assuming identical saws, do you prefer a table saw with a modular blade guard or a

traditional hood blade guard, or no blade guard when using a table saw?

a) Modular blade guard
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b) Traditional blade guard

c) No blade guard

d) Don’t know/Refused

(39) Is there anything else you would like to add about your experience with modular blade 

guards?

____________________________________________________

VII. Safety attitudes 

(40) Based on your own personal experience, how dangerous do you consider working with a 

table saw to be?

a) Not at all dangerous

b) Slightly dangerous

c) Moderately dangerous

d) Very dangerous

e) Don’t know/Refused

(41) In your opinion, to what extent does using the modular blade guard prevent hazards 

associated with working with a table saw?

a) Not at all

b) A small extent

c) A moderate extent

d) A large extent

e) Don’t know/Refused

(42) In your opinion, to what extent does the use of safe practices (for example, push sticks,

feather-boards, hold-downs) prevent hazards associated with working with a table saw?

a) Not at all

b) A small extent

c) A moderate extent

d) A large extent

e) Don’t know/Refused

(43) In your opinion, to what extent do you think that expertise using a table saw improves 

the safety of work with it?

a) Not at all

b) A small extent

c) A moderate extent

d) A large extent

e) Don’t know/Refused
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VIII. Incentive Verification 

Thank you for your time. Your answers will help identify modular blade guard use 

patterns and will be used to help to reduce injuries on table saws. 

As appreciation for your time, we would like to send you a check for $50. Could you 

please provide your full name and mailing address? 

Interviewer: Fill in the blank with the respondent’s name and address, and 

verify it. If needed, assure the respondent of the confidentiality of the 

information provided. 

 _________________________________

 _________________________________

 _________________________________

You will receive your participation check in the mail in the next few weeks.

Interview Termination script:

Thank you for your interest in our survey. Unfortunately, you are not qualified for this study. 

Thank you for your time. 

Interviewer: Read only if R asks: Since you did not complete the survey you are not eligible for 

the $50 incentive.