Makita Circular Saw Recall Issued Due to Laceration Hazard

Several hundred Makita circular saws have been recalled, due to a risk that the lower blade guard may malfunction, exposing the blade and creating a serious laceration hazard for consumers. 

The Makita circular saw recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) last week, after the manufacturer recognized the lower blade guard may malfunction and expose the blade while in use. To date, no injuries have been reported in relation to the recall.

The recall includes an estimated 500 Makita 5057KB 7-1/4” circular saws equipped with dust collectors. The recalled saws include ranges of serial numbers spanning from 12638 through 12737, 12978 through 13027, 13208 through 13257, 13322 through 13351, 13376 through 13405, 13578 through 13627, 13658 through 13707, and 13900 through 13979.

The recalled Makita saws were manufactured in Japan under Makita U.S.A. Inc. of La Mirada, California. They were sold at Tools Plus and various other industrial suppliers nationwide, and also online through Amazon and several other online dealers.

Customers are being asked to stop using the recalled Makita circular saws immediately and to contact Makita U.S.A. customers service at 800-462-5482 or visit them online at www.makitatools.com for information on how to schedule a free repair.

The circular saw recall comes amid growing concerns about the lack of certain safety features on table saws, which continue to be linked to reports of lacerations, amputations and various other hand and finger injuries that may be prevented with the use of available technology.

Technology to prevent table saw user injuries from contacting the blades has been available for nearly 20 years, when “Saw Stop” technology was produced. Saw Stop Technology is a safety feature that involves the use of a sensor system which detects electrical conductivity of the human body in proximity to the blade, and at the slightest touch of human flesh, the blade is instantly stopped.

Due to this technology being around for nearly 20 years and saw manufacturers failing to incorporate the feature into their design, many table saw injury lawsuits have been filed in recent years by users who have suffered serious injuries that could have been prevented. Manufacturers have even been accused of engaging in a group boycott and refusing to license the product for their technology.

The CPSC has been investigating the possibility of requiring new table saw safety regulations, and voted unanimously in 2011 to look at potential new safety requirements. SawStop technology is one of the most likely features to be considered by federal regulators as a standard that should be on every table saw.

According to CPSC data, between 2007 and 2008 roughly 76,100 table saw injuries occurred annually costing roughly $2.3 billion per year in medical expenses and leaving 3,000 people per year with an amputated finger.