Desert Diamonds Safety Blades

AWIS WATERMAIN TOOLS: WATERMAIN TOOLS

THE 3 MOST DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR DURING USE OF ABRASIVE AND DIAMOND-TIPPED SAW BLADES

Based on OSHA Statistics

1. ABRASIVE BLADES: Known as silicon carbide, fiber and/or throwaway blades, these have reached the top of the OSHA list as
the deadliest and most dangerous product to use for cutting. Based on OSHA statistics, an employee is 6.3 times more likely to be
killed by an abrasive blade shattering than by having a diamond blade shattering. The same employee is 13 times more likely to
suffer a serious injury requiring hospitalization by an abrasive blade than by a diamond blade. In 2008, a study done by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that over 453 people were seriously injured when the abrasive blade exploded
during operation. In addition, there are also air quality concerns with abrasive blades. Tests are underway to determine the exact long-term lung damage caused by the dust from silicon-carbide blades.

• Abrasive blades are more likely to shatter if:
• The blade being used has been damaged (cracking, exposure to water, etc.)
• The blade gets pinched or bound in the material being cut
• The blade is being run at a RPM higher then recommended
• The blade is reused a different day
• Tilting the saw to the left or right while cutting

2. DIAMOND BLADE SEGMENT LOSS: Diamond blade segment loss ranked as the second most deadly and dangerous accident. While not nearly as common as abrasive blades shattering, OSHA reports that when it does happen the results can be disastrous. Sixty percent of the time when a piece broke off and hit an employee, a death occurred. The other 40% were serious injuries requiring hospitalization.

Reasons for diamond blade segment loss include:

• Defective welds joining the segment to the core.
• The blade core wearing thin by undercutting.
• Hitting unexpected rebar pries segment from the steel core
• Weakening the segment weld due to overheating.

TIP: It’s best to use a company that offers a Lifetime Operator Error Warranty. These companies have the highest quality products,
engineered to withstand far more operator error than cheaper imitations.

3. SAW KICKING BACK: Saw kick back injuries typically occur when a cutter becomes fatigued from the use of the saw. They
will then stand closer to the saw, trying to use more body weight to stabilize the blade inside cut. Or the cuts may take longer than
expected because the blade used is not appropriate for the material being cut. This can cause the blade to heat up, start wobbling, or
even bounce. Unfortunately, this means that, when the saw kicks back, the operator is closer than is safe.

Kickbacks can occur when:

• the blade gets pinched or binds.
• the blade being is not specified to cut the material.
• the blade is warped or glazed over (diminished or no diamond exposed.)
• the cutter uses the top edge side of the blade to cut.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this brochure is correct and accurate. Users of AWIS Australia Pty Ltd provided product or information within this document must make their own assessment of suitability for their particular application. Product dimensions are nominal only, and should be verified if critical to a particular installation. No warranty is either expressed, implied, or statutory made by AWIS Australia Pty Ltd Products unless expressly stated in any sale and purchase agreement entered into between AWIS Australia Pty Ltd and the user