Job Hazard Analysis · Masonry

Job Hazard Analysis: Cutting with masonry saw

Cutting concrete block (CMU), brick, and stone with a 14-inch electric wet masonry table saw with a diamond blade and built-in water feed. Saw station is set up outdoors on the job site, with materials staged nearby. Covers setup, inspection, material handling, cutting, blade changes, and cleanup. Outdoor work may involve heat or cold depending on season.

Published 2026-10-23

A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts.

Steps, hazards and controls

Step	Hazard	Risk	Controls
1. Set up the saw station on firm, level ground away from walkways and traffic.	Electric shock from a corded saw used with water	High	Plug the saw into a GFCI outlet or a portable GFCI. Test the GFCI before each shift. Use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord with no cuts or missing ground pin. Keep plug connections off the ground and out of water. Set the saw so water and slurry drain away from the cord and the operator's feet.
	Back strain lifting the saw onto its stand	Medium	Use two people to lift the saw, or use a saw with a wheeled stand. Lift with your legs and keep the load close to your body.
	Trips over cords and hoses around the station	Low	Run cords and hoses along the edge of the work area, not across walkways.
2. Inspect the saw, blade, guard, and water system before starting.	Blade breaking apart or throwing segments	High	Use only a diamond blade rated for the saw's RPM and for the material being cut. Remove any blade that is cracked, warped, missing segments, or overheated (blue color). Confirm the blade guard is in place and the arbor nut is tight.
	Dust exposure if the water feed is not working	High	Fill the water tank and run the pump. Check that water flows onto both sides of the blade before cutting. If the water feed fails, stop cutting until it is fixed.
	Damaged cord or switch causing shock	Medium	Check the cord, plug, and on/off switch. Tag and remove a damaged saw from service.
3. Carry block, brick, or stone to the saw and mark the cuts.	Back strain and pinched fingers from handling heavy block	Medium	Stage pallets close to the saw with a pallet jack or forklift to reduce carrying. Carry one block at a time, and get help with large stone. Wear work gloves when carrying material.
	Stacked material falling over	Low	Keep stacks on level ground and limit stack height so they stay stable.
4. Make the cuts with the water running.	Breathing silica dust from cutting concrete, brick, and stone	High	Cut only with the water feed running at all times. Never dry-cut on this saw. Set up outdoors where dust and mist can clear. Keep other workers away from the saw. Change dirty water often so the blade stays wet and slurry does not build up.
	Hand or finger contact with the spinning blade	High	Keep the guard down and in place for every cut. Set the block flat on the cart against the back fence. Push the cart slowly and keep your hands at least 6 inches from the blade. Do not wear loose gloves or sleeves near the blade. Wait for the blade to stop before reaching near it.
	Flying chips and slurry spray	Medium	Stand to the side of the blade line, not directly behind it. Wear safety glasses with side shields and a face shield while cutting.
	Loud noise from the saw	Medium	Place the saw away from other crews so fewer people are exposed. Wear earplugs or earmuffs while the saw is running.
5. Change the blade or clear a jammed piece.	Saw starting while your hands are near the blade	High	Turn the saw off and unplug it before changing the blade or clearing a jam. Wait for the blade to stop completely. Use the arbor wrench, not your hand, to hold the blade.
5. Change the blade or clear a jammed piece.	Cuts from blade edges	Low	Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling blades.
6. Shut down and clean up the saw station.	Silica dust from dried slurry	Medium	Clean up slurry while it is still wet. Use a wet method or a HEPA vacuum; never dry-sweep or use compressed air. Dump slurry water where it will not dry into dust or run into storm drains.
	Slips on wet, muddy ground	Medium	Shovel slurry and broken pieces out of walkways. Wear slip-resistant boots.
	Shock while unplugging with wet hands	Medium	Turn the saw off first, dry your hands, then unplug at the plug, not by pulling the cord.

Required PPE

Safety glasses with side shields — ANSI Z87.1 rated, worn at all times at the saw station.
Face shield — Worn over safety glasses while cutting.
Hearing protection — Earplugs or earmuffs whenever the saw is running.
Hard hat — Required where there is overhead work or falling object hazards on site.
Work gloves — For carrying block and handling blades; remove loose gloves when feeding material near the blade.
Slip-resistant work boots — Safety-toe boots for wet ground and dropped block.
Respirator — Only if the water feed fails or dust is visible and cutting cannot stop; N95 or better under the company respirator program with fit testing.

Training

Training on silica hazards, the company's written silica exposure control plan, and wet cutting methods.
Hands-on training on this saw: guard use, blade selection, blade changes, and shutdown, given by a competent person.
Electrical safety training on GFCI testing and cord inspection.
Hearing protection training: how to wear earplugs and earmuffs correctly.

Emergency

If someone is cut by the blade or shocked: shut off and unplug the saw (do not touch a shocked person until power is off), call 911 and give the site address, apply firm pressure to bleeding with a clean cloth, and send someone to meet the ambulance. Report to the supervisor right away.

Official sources

29 CFR 1926.1153 — Respirable crystalline silica
29 CFR 1926.300 — Hand and power tools — general requirements
29 CFR 1926.404 — Wiring design and protection
29 CFR 1926.101 — Hearing protection
29 CFR 1926.102 — Eye and face protection
29 CFR 1926.25 — Housekeeping
29 CFR 1926.21 — Safety training and education
29 CFR 1926.50 — Medical services and first aid

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General information, not legal advice. Templates and examples should be reviewed by a competent person before use. HardHat Binder is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.