I just liked seeing photos of Allen's and Dan's shop
I had some table saw training & experience in high school. All those years later, I didn't use the guard or splitter on my 26 year old Craftsman. It was cumbersom, and could not see through the plastic very well.
I thought I should use it, but I justified not using it in my own mind.
Then a few years ago, I replaced the old saw with a General 650. After assembling everything to prove everything worked as it was suppoed to, I removed the guard/splitter.
As was said previously, check the clearance all around, make a dry runs with the blade down, use feather boards and push blocks, zero clearance inserts, etc. I've been fortunate so far.
Mostly, the guard is cumbersom. But.. I will re-install it and re-consider why I don't use it. It's not because of dust. I did my best trying to enclose the base.
I will also re-think this topic with other products currently on the market for safety.
Good Luck, Mike
PS: another thing that just occured to me is, unlike many woodworkers I've observed, I never pull the work back over the blade after the cut. I turn off the saw and sit there until everything stops. It's a time waister, but, oh well.