Comment from Igor Izyumin

A mandate on blade-contact type safety systems would be unnecessary, expensive, and counterproductive for consumers. A single company (SawStop) holds patents for blade contact safety systems. The proposed rules would effectively give this company a monopoly position in the table saw market, which will put smaller benchtop table saws out of the reach of the average consumer. The cost of saw contact safety systems would sharply drive up prices. Prices are estimated to increase from $99 for an entry-level consumer saw to over $400. This will most likely lead to an increase in injuries, since consumers will increasingly use other types of equipment (e.g. circular saws, miter saws) as an unsafe substitute when a table saw is required. Furthermore, the systems will give consumers a false sense of security, which will lead to carelessness and increased rates of injury.