After reading all this discussion (and the others), I can just come to a conclusion that, if I (as an amateur and maybe small shop) don't have 10,000~50,000 Pounds to invest in woodworking machines, I should not touch this field or, simply work in the "Dark side" methods, meaning, hand tools that is very nice but I cannot get the same result, accuracy and time saving as with machine.
I think that amateurs does not want or, cannot invest in all the kinds of the "correct machine for the job" because they don't make the living of it. So, it's only normal that the amateur (and maybe the small pros) will try to use the maximum from the very few machines that they own by using some jigs that are not expectable by the law makers.
In every aspect of life there is some calculated risk. Almost every action that one makes during the day (and night) is somehow "risky" in a way. Even if one will be the best driver and drives exactly as per the laws all the time (and I know non), some track can cross the lane and...xxx.
I believe like Seaco that, one must use his commonsense or logic and decide if the operation is safe for him or not and, if it's not, how to make it to be non risky by planning ahead his position and using "things" that will keep him away from danger if something goes wrong.
(The passengers are boarding the airplane and hear "Ladies and gentleman, this aircraft is fully automatically and nothing can go wrong...nothing can go wrong...nothing can go wrong...wrong...wrong....wrong...).
When I read about a guy that lost his fingers on the Table saw or the router, I'm very sorry for him from one side but, from the other side, I'm asking myself (and I would like to ask him, face to face), what his fingers where doing near the blade or the bit. Sorry but, if the guy does not know that a 10" or 12" blade with carbide tooth can cut his hand even when touching it stationary, not to mention at 3,000 RPM, he did not use his commonsense and, if his fingers are in-line or so close the blade in such a way that they can slip and hit the blade, he did not use commonsense.
And, if one pushes a small piece into the router bit holding it only with his fingers, he did not use commonsense.
IMHO, the guard is there to guard against "UFO's", not to save ones fingers.
I strongly agree with Seaco that one must use his commonsense, logic or whatever you call it.
IMHO, Safety is in the Head.
I worked 10 years on a "homemade" table saw not only without guard but also without riving knife. I never had kickback but, I did cut my fingers a few times......while using the utility knife....
Respectfully
niki