1 

## 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. Consume r 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 inf ormation 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 scre ening 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 fo r 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 researc h 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 condu cting the full survey for this study. For

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

10) Who should I contact i f I have further questions abou t the study?

You may contact Christine Horak, Director of Research and Analytics

at EurekaFacts. Her phone number is (301) 610

- 0590.2 

# SCREENER FOR THE TABLE SAW STUDY

RESPONDENT N UMBER |___|___|___|___|

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]3 

### 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......................................... YE S [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 do wn over the top and side of the

blade, and can lock in the upper position ( Please see picture 2)...............

... . 2 [GO TO Q 10 ]

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

I don't know........................................................................4 [END SURVEY]4 

### 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]



### A t 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].................................... ..65 

### 14. Someone will call you from Eureka Facts between [INS ERT 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 $50 check 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.6 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

appro priate 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

Maryl and . 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 shoul d

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 responde nt 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, as k: Who is the manufacturer

of your table saw? (If the respondent does not have this information, and7 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) Do n’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 nam e 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/r efuse d

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 Q 10 )

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

- to p 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

2 00 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 yo u

own?8 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 c alled 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/ref used

(11) In w hat 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 purchase d/received it ?

a) New

,  Skip to Q 149 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 th e

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 : R ead 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/Refused10 (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 k now/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) I t 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 that11 apply) INTERVIEWER: Read each option and wait for the respondent to answer yes

or no. Do not read “Don’t know.”

a) They d idn’t have time / N eeded to finish the project quickly

b) They d id not need it

c) Because i t would get in the way

d) They t ried, but it was too difficult

e) The installation instructions were missing

f) They c ould not understand the instructions

g)

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

22

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. N o

(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

cutting12 h. It makes feeding the wood into the saw

more difficult

i. Causes the wood to bind against the blade

j. It make s 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

C ross cuts

Ri p cuts

M iter cuts

B evel 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 d on’t know, before obtaining the

resp ondent ’ 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,13 b) The next time you use the saw

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

d) Some o ther time  Go to Q27

e) Never

f) Don’t know/R efused

,

Interviewer: Unless otherwise noted, skip to Q 2 8

.

(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) I n 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 e as e of cleaning the table saw 1 2 3 4

The s peed 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 use d your current table saw have you experienced

kickback?

a) Yes

b) No  Skip to Q 3314 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 m any years have you been using table saws?

__________________

(36) H ave 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 rest ing 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 guard15 b) Traditional blade guard

c) No blade guard

d) Don’t know/Refused

(39) Is there anything els e 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, t o what extent does using the modular blade guard prevent hazards

associated with working with a table saw?

a) Not at all

b) A s mall extent

c) A m oderate extent

d) A l arge extent

e) Don’t know/Refused

(42) In your opinion, t o what extent does the use of safe practices ( for example, push stick s,

feather

- boards, hold

- downs) prevent hazards associated with working with a table saw?

a) Not at all

b) A s mall ext ent

c) A moderate extent

d) A l arge extent

e) Don’t know/Refused

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

the safety of work with it?

a) Not at all

b) A s mall extent

c) A m oderate extent

d) A l arge extent

e) Don’t know/Refused16 VIII. Incentive Verification

Thank you for your time. You r 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 addr ess, 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 ince ntive.