As is obvious, the tie that binds the
eZine faithful together is woodworking. Cutting boards apart and
sticking them together: it's the essence of woodworking. When you cut
them apart, it's highly likely that you'd be using a table saw ...
and that you'd have an opinion about such a tool.
You may recall that, in the Feedback
section of eZine 286, we shared comments from participants in a
Woodworker's Journal survey about table saws. Well, there's someone
else who wants to hear your opinions about table saws, too: the
federal government.
Currently, the Consumer Products Safety
Commission is taking public comments about a proposed rule for safety
standards regarding blade contact on table saws. They're looking for
feedback from the public -- that means your opinions and information
-- on the risks associated with blade contact when using a table saw,
on the CPSC's regulatory options, and on the economic impacts of the
various alternatives.
Among the alternatives they have listed
for their proposed rulemaking are: a voluntary standard from the
industry; a mandatory rule from the CPSC regarding table saw
requirements; or a labeling rule listing specified warnings and
instructions.
The deadline for the Consumer Products
Safety Commission to receive public comments in advance of their
rulemaking, is December 12, 2011 -- less than a month away. You can
send email comments through the site www.regulations.gov, or written
comments (they ask for 5 copies, with the agency name and docket
number -- Docket No. CPSC-2011-0074) to Office of the Secretary,
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Room 502, 4330 East West Highway,
Bethesda, MD 20814.
You can read further details about the
proposed rulemaking and the request for comments here.
We know you have opinions, and we're
glad when you share them with Woodworker's Journal. This time, we'd
encourage you to share them with the CPSC as well.
Rob Johnstone
Woodworker's Journal
P.S. As for that sticking wood together
part? That's the forte of Gorilla Glue, the sponsor of this issue of
the eZine.