A method for detecting proximity between an object and an implement of a table saw comprising: operating a motor of the table saw to move the implement; generating, with a capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) formed in a throat plate around the implement of the table saw, a plurality of capacitance signals from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements arranged in a predetermined two-dimensional arrangement on a surface of the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) during operation of the motor; identifying, with a controller operatively connected to the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912), an object in proximity to the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) in response to a change in a level of capacitance in the capacitance signals; identifying, with the controller, a location of the object over the surface of the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) with reference to the plurality of capacitive sensing elements; and, when the change in the capacitance signal indicating a capacitance level that exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to a body part of an operator, generating, with the controller, a warning signal for the operator in response to the location of the object being outside of a predetermined distance of the implement, identifying, with the controller, a path of movement for the body part of the operator based on the plurality of capacitance signals from the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912); deactivating, with the controller, the motor of the table saw in response to the location of the object being within the predetermined distance of the implement; and activating, with the controller, an implement reaction mechanism in the saw in response to a trajectory of the path of movement intersecting the implement prior to contact between the body part of the operator and the implement. operating a motor of the table saw to move the implement; generating, with a capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) formed in a throat plate around the implement of the table saw, a plurality of capacitance signals from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements arranged in a predetermined two-dimensional arrangement on a surface of the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) during operation of the motor; identifying, with a controller operatively connected to the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912), an object in proximity to the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) in response to a change in a level of capacitance in the capacitance signals; identifying, with the controller, a location of the object over the surface of the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912) with reference to the plurality of capacitive sensing elements; and, when the change in the capacitance signal indicating a capacitance level that exceeds a predetermined threshold corresponding to a body part of an operator, generating, with the controller, a warning signal for the operator in response to the location of the object being outside of a predetermined distance of the implement, identifying, with the controller, a path of movement for the body part of the operator based on the plurality of capacitance signals from the capacitive sensor (904, 908, 912); deactivating, with the controller, the motor of the table saw in response to the location of the object being within the predetermined distance of the implement; and activating, with the controller, an implement reaction mechanism in the saw in response to a trajectory of the path of movement intersecting the implement prior to contact between the body part of the operator and the implement.