Solution Summary: Table Saw Panel Lift
The table saw panel lift helps lift panels onto a table saw.
Description:
The table saw panel lift is an engineering control that may reduce lifting and carrying. The table saw panel lift is clamped onto the table saw and extends towards the ground where a hook is available. The edge of a panel of plywood is placed in the hook and rotated to lift and place the panel on the table saw
The table saw panel lift is a powder-coated steel jig clamped to a table saw (Figure 1). To use the jig, the edge of a sheet of plywood is placed in the hook, and the hydraulic piston assists with lifting the panel onto the table saw.
Figure 1. The table saw panel lift (Photo courtesy of Gorilla Gripper)
Risks Addressed:
Heavy lifting and carrying can cause low back disorders, such as muscle strain or a disc herniation (“slipped disc”), which is bulging of disc material possibly pressing on the spinal cord or nerves that go into the leg. The table saw panel lift may reduce heavy lifting and carrying because once a panel is placed in the hook, it is lifted by rotating the panel onto the table saw.
How Risks are Reduced:
The table saw panel lift may reduce heavy lifting and carrying by helping the worker place heavy and awkward panels safely on a table saw.
The manufacturer claims that the table saw panel lift reduces the amount of lifting and carrying because it, “Uses leverage, not strength, to lift & load those large, heavy panels, (which) eliminates strain and risk of injury to the back and body.”
Safety and health experts agree that the table saw panel lift may reduce the amount of lifting and carrying because it helps the worker place heavy and awkward panels safely on a table saw.
Effects on Productivity:
The table saw panel lift has no effect on productivity on the worksite
Contributors:
Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; Jesse Brouwer, SPT; and Kevin Wright, SPT – Eastern Washington University
Availability
Landon Innovations Leg Up Table Saw Panel Lift
To obtain information, visit Landon Innovations and Rockler Woodworking and Hardware (vendor)
or contact 1-805-523-1800
