Capt_Aubrey

Rehearse the cut.

If I have any doubts about the safety of a cut, I'll drop the blade below the table and do a dry run of the entire operation. Immediately it is obvious as to whether or not I'll need push sticks, featherboards, outfeed/infeed supports, or even a special jig to hold the work safely.

For more routine operations, I'll run through the process in my head. Not only does this help identify any safety issues, but also gets my attention focused where it should be -- on the cut, not the next operation.

I have no doubt that this habit has saved me meat and blood.

The quantity of comments is a good indicator of the benefits of such discussion, even if they are only a reminder of what we already know and should be practicing on a regular basis.

I'll admit to not having either a guard or a splitter. The stock splitter proved worthless in use; when tension was released and the stock started to pinch, the splitter didn't do much. I've had better luck stopping the cut, shutting off the saw (color coded switch location on the fence rail, so no fumbling) and putting a small wedge in the kerf.

As for the lack of a guard -- this could be debated forever. I'm the only one that uses my saw, so my situation might be different from a shop where several people share the saw. I make it a point to rehearse every cut, however briefly -- how will I start the cut, how will I move the stock past the blade (do I need a push stick?), can I anchor my hand on the fence such that I can move the stock safely past the blade, etc. -- before I make the cut. If nothing else, it gets me focused on the task (and the danger) before I turn the power on.

Safety is between the ears, but constant reminders are a good idea.
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Mark