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 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 during operation of the motor ; identifying, with a controller operatively connected to the capacitive sensor , an object in proximity to the capacitive sensor 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 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 ; 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 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 during operation of the motor ; identifying, with a controller operatively connected to the capacitive sensor , an object in proximity to the capacitive sensor 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 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 ; 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 . <EOS>