framing distributors and OSHA

JayRay

True Grumbler
Joined
Oct 15, 2002
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87
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Mich
I had a question about OSHA standards. I tried ordering a 5x7 chop from Larson and I was told they could not do it becfause of OSHA. They can only chop 6" and up. That's fine, but all of my other vendors are able to. Are these other vendors not complying or is Larson just being extra careful? Thanks, Jason
 
OSHA apparently has it's eyes on the framing industry due to a recategorization of frame shops in the CA area. Due to this, Larson was made to (or chose to) retrofit all of it's chop saws system wide to a more OSHA friendly standard. I am imagining that yes, it is now an OSHA standard and they will be visiting other distributors in the future.

What his means to you and me is eventually they will be knocking on our doors to check our compliance.
 
There are tons of situational factors involved. But, basically, fingers and body parts can't be near moving machinery. In this case, the sawa that LJ uses (At least in Methuen where I looked) don't have clamps and hold downs close enough to make the cut without the operator holding the moulding. A no-no. In fact, I beleive they should have active restraints, like straps to their wrist that pull their hands back when the blade comes down.

LJ used to cut less than 6". My guess is they hadn't been seen. Once they are written up for it, they better not get caught doing it again. Hence the restriction.

As for other vendors it could be either they have a clamping/hold down mechanism that allows them to cut inside 6", or more likely, they haven't been caught yet.

Theis is mostly educated guesswork, but it's probably pretty close.
 
I have never seen any info like that in the OSHA literature I have. There is no size limitations or anything like that. It is very in-depth about guards being in place and working heights.

This is probably more a company policy than government standard. I don't blame them. Saws are very dangerous and will take a finger off in a heart beat.

I personally will cut down to 4in but I would never let an employee do it.

I had a customer just yesterday ask for some 'CHEAP' 2in by 3in frames to frame cards. He said he had been to 4 other frame shops in town and no else would do them. I turned that one down flat. My fingers are worth more than 'CHEAP'.
 
Even with the guards in place and properly adjusted we will not cut woods less than 5" because as everyone stated it gets a little hairy with your fingers that close.

We use top to the line Pistorious but I've never seen a clamping system for the gauge rails.

We will use the chopper on cuts smaller than 5" but....allowances need to be flexible.

Metals we do not cut less than 5" because our metal saw will not go smaller than that. It clamps and cuts from the bottom up, cutting both ends of the rail at the same time.
 
Originally posted by John Richards:
Metals we do not cut less than 5" because our metal saw will not go smaller than that. It clamps and cuts from the bottom up, cutting both ends of the rail at the same time.
WOW I bet that is a cool looking saw. I have never seen anything like that. I guess you would have a defined maximum you could cut with it also. Does the cut heads slide on rails somehow? Is one head stationary and the other movable, or is both movable?
 
These minimums have been there for several years from the suppliers I have used. Some have recently increased the length.
 
"....'CHEAP' 2in by 3in frames to frame cards."

As slave labor dad had my sister and I making frames that exact dimension by the 1000's using a Morso.

I don't remember who bought them or why, just that he needed tons of them. One night we cut so many 2x3-glass pieces that we collapsed a card table.

OSHA SMOSHA!
 
Jerry: I'm just guessing but the screw drive is about 10' long so the max is probably about 8'. The saw is made by SawTech and you're were correct in that the left blade is stationary and the right blade moves on a large screw drive.

It is also computerized. You put in the profile and the length and it cuts the rail with the allowance. Some profiles do require special nylon blocks for the clamping unit.

Once you press the start pedal you just stand back and away it cuts. It would almost be impossible to lose a limb or digit on this unit because of the clamping system.
 
I have used the saw John speaks of. It is kwite neat. You put the metal length in and it clamps down then the saw blades come down and cut. I think our saw cut 5 3/8 inches on typical metal profiles. Some of the special profiles it would not cut as small. The nylon blocks are really good for profiles that can be tricky to keep staight. The saw is great, you can program in many different profiles and their allowances. Then it is set, no figuring out each time. All you do is put in the correct code for the profile. Really easy

d
 
Ohh I had never thought of it that way.

excuse me

...note to self...
Never let children in the frame shop. Force them to watch Court TV daily.
 
OSHA Info:
thumbsup.gif
http://www.hsegroup.com/hse/text/cowboy.htm
 
Now your thinking Jay. But wrong show. ER. just not CSI.

You want them to be able to help financially, and medically in your old age.
 
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