The power switch on the table saw isn’t very accessible, and isn’t easy to turn off. As per @Stevemopolis’ suggestion, a much safer solution would be something that can be reliably turned off with the user’s knee or thigh.
Something like this:
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Depending on the switch that’s already there…if its a toggle switch maybe a piece of string from the toggle switch to a loop for the foot near the floor…
Or here’s one for $5 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SQUARE-D-3-PHASE-FOOT-SWITCH-PEDAL-CNC-LATHE-POWER-CHUCK-ACTUATOR-ON-OFF-/272731123429
Others there as a result of googling “knee operated power switch” in the $40 price range.
I have one of these at home:
It’s nice because you can use it for multiple tools.
Perhaps our Hack Space should consider getting a SawStop table saw. It has an electronic (capacitive) sensor that “knows” when the blade is touching human flesh. A high current discharge is then sent to blow a restraining wire, slamming the saw blade down onto a braking pawl. Happens in milliseconds. The result is just a tiny nick, where normally, a finger, or entire hand, would lost. Both blade and the pawl will need replacing, but that’s trivial compared to permanent hand disfunction.
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