ISSUE DATE: 03/23/2012

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P12-06

FROM: NEAL H. MERRIFIELD

Administrator for 

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health 

JEFFERY H. KRAVITZ, PH.D

Acting Director of Technical Support 

 

SUBJECT: Reissue of P07-19 - Hazards of Sliding Table Masonry Saws 

Who needs this information?

Operators of metal and nonmetal mines, independent contractors, miner's 

representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement 

personnel, state mining agencies, mine equipment manufacturers, and other interested 

parties need this information. 

What is the purpose of this Program Information Bulletin?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) provides guidance to the mining industry to 

address hazards of using sliding table masonry saws. Sliding table masonry saws are 

typically designed to cut brick, block, refractories and other uniform masonry-type

materials with flat sides. Some dimension stone operations also use these saws to cut

irregularly-shaped natural stone. The irregular shape of the natural stone makes the 

stone difficult to position and/or support securely during cutting. The difficulty in 

securing some stones in place can create a hazard when saw operators place their hands 

close to or in the path of the saw blade. Saw operators have been seriously injured 

while performing this activity.

What steps must be taken to address the hazards?

Affected mine operators, in consultation with the saw manufacturer, should determine 

whether a saw used to cut stone is appropriate for the intended work. If it is 

appropriate, the mine operator should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for
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its use. If the saw manufacturer does not recommend its equipment for a particular 

application, such as cutting irregularly-shaped stone, mine operators should not use the 

saw for that application in its factory-supplied configuration. 

The mine operator should assess the risks to saw operators and make necessary 

modifications to prevent injuries. Risk reduction can be accomplished in several ways: 

elimination of the hazard; substitution of less hazardous operations or equipment; or 

the installation of engineering controls. Jigs or other engineering modifications to the 

saw should assure that the stone is held securely and the saw operator’s hands and 

fingers are positioned away from the blade and out of its path of travel. When possible,

the modifications should be made by, in consultation with, or with the agreement of the 

saw manufacturer.

When the saw, as used in the mine operator’s application, presents a non-tolerable risk 

of injury MSHA believes re-engineering the saw (e.g., installing additional guarding, 

using jigs to hold stones during cutting) to prevent injuries is required. MSHA does not 

consider personal protective equipment, training, employee warnings, supervision, 

signage, or similar administrative controls taken by the mine operator sufficient to 

address hazards presented by using a saw in an application not supported by the 

manufacturer. 

What is the background for this PIB?

Since 2003, there have been seven severe finger, hand, or arm type injuries associated 

with cutting irregular or unsupported stones while using masonry saws at metal and 

nonmetal operations. The hazards exist because these saws are being used for an 

application for which they were not designed - cutting stones that are irregularly 

shaped and/or of a shape or size that makes them difficult to secure or control on the 

table. During the cutting process, due to the size and shape of the stone, operators may 

free-hand cut the stone or place their hands in close proximity to the blade, exposing 

them to a laceration, cut, or amputation hazard. Additional risk factors include: using 

cutting methods not recommended by the manufacturer, difficulty in training

equipment operators due to high turnover or language barriers, worker fatigue, hurried 

production, ergonomic factors, poor maintenance, blade tooth configuration and 

materials, non-timely replacement of worn or damaged blades, ambient temperature 

conditions, and slippery conditions resulting from water application while cutting. 

What is MSHA's authority for this PIB?

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; 

30 CFR Part 46, § 56/57.14205, § 56/57.15006, 56/57.14107.
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Is this PIB on the Internet?

This PIB may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA home page 

(http://www.msha.gov) and choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information 

Bulletins." 

Who is the MSHA contact person for this PIB?

Brian Goepfert, (202) 693-9600

Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

Chief of Safety

E-mail: goepfert.brian@dol.gov

Jim Angel, (304) 547-2064

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center

E-mail: Angel.James@dol.gov

Denise Coyle, (304) 547-2037

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center

E-mail: Coyle.Denise@dol.gov

Who will receive this PIB?

MSHA Program Policy Manual Holders

Metal and Non-Metal Mine Operators

Mine Equipment Manufacturers

Miners' Representatives

Special Interest Groups