Posted By Stephen J W Clegg. Ian, I think for starters you need to re-visit HSW sec2 & PUWER in relation to guarding dangerous parts of machinery. I am a believer in learning something new every day and wait to be corrected, but I think having a bench mounted circular saw with an unguarded 12” blade is just waiting for a “Foreseeable” incident. By definition, your trainees will be inexperienced in using this type of machinery and therefore are more vulnerable to injury due to their lack of perception/appreciation of danger, not to mention all the other nasty things created i.e. dust/noise/heat/vibration etc… you need to be sure about the MHSWR in relation to ‘young people’ – if this category of persons uses this machine - how old are they? I would have your Fist Aiders ready, together with your explanation! Regards Steve.

Posted By colin I worked in the tool hire trade and on building sites untill fairly recent Hand held disc cutters such as "stihl" saws,and bench mounted brick saws such as "clipper" do have guards.