R 408.12732 Band saws.

Rule 2732. (1) All portions of the band saw blade shall be enclosed or guarded except for the working portion of the blade between the bottom of the guide and the table. (2) A band saw wheel shall be fully encased. The outside periphery of the enclosure shall be solid. The front and back of the band wheels shall be enclosed by either solid material, wire mesh, or perforated metal. Mesh or perforated metal shall be not less than 0.037 inch (U.S. gauge no. 20) and the openings shall be not more than 3/8 inch. Solid material used for this purpose shall be of an equivalent strength and firmness. The upper wheel guard shall be made to conform to the travel of the saw on the wheel. The top member of the guard should have at least a 2-inch clearance outside the saw and be lined with smooth material. (3) A guard for the portion of the blade between the sliding guide and the upper saw wheel guard shall protect the saw blade at the front and outer side. The guard shall be self-adjusting to raise and lower with the guide. (4) The sliding blade guide shall be kept to within 1/4 inch of the work piece.