A road saw is a powerful tool that can cut concrete, masonry, asphalt, brick and other solid surfaces.
Also known as concrete saw, it can be a hand-held tool or a big walk-behind saw. Its source of power can
be gasoline, hydraulic, electric or pneumatic pressure. Road saws have diamond saw blades to be able
to cut through concrete, stone and asphalt. A large amount of friction is generated from cutting through
hard surfaces. To prolong life, it is necessary to let the blades cool before re-using.
Contents
Safety considerations in operating road saws
Before using a concrete or road saw, it is best to read and understand its operation manual to avoid
dangerous accidents when not used properly. Always check the saw’s diamond blade to ensure it is
in good condition and to check if cleaning is required. An operator should never use the saw blades
without its blade guards and never when blade guards are raised. The blade’s exposure should not go
beyond 180 degrees during use. An operator must always wear helmet and other protective gear.
Choosing good diamond saw blades
To maximize benefits of road saws, it is necessary to choose proper diamond saw blades. You must
consider diameters that can be accommodated, arbor size, and blade quality. It is also important to
consider other factors like compatibility of saw blade’s features with the type of concrete where it will
be used, basic cutting speed, wet cutting or dry cutting, and horsepower of the saw.
Avoiding health risks from road saw cutting
Cutting through hard surfaces like concrete, stone, rocks, tiles and bricks produces dust that is airborne
and contains very fine crystalline silica called RCS. These can go deeply into the lungs and may cause
serious health risks like lunch cancer, silicosis, and other respiratory diseases.
To avoid health risks from inhalation of dust particles, use wet cutting with sufficient water. Use
diamond blades instead of abrasive wheels for cutting. Capture dust with adequate local exhaust
system of the saw. Always wear protective gear during the cutting process.
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