Willem,
I have the same 6" safety rule engrained in my head that I have followed for most of my life when working with any cutting type power tools, especially saws. I'm 79 now, and was taught to use most of my woodworking tools by one of my uncles, who taught me the 6" rule of working with power tools when I was about 12 years old. Did we have the same uncle? I doubt that, but the source of that 6" rule must have originally come from somewhere. When I bought my first Grripper (now own 3), I had considerable trouble getting myself to use it, because using it put my hand and fingers closer than 6" to the blade. After about 6 months, I was able to rewire my head and modify the 6" rule so strongly embedded in my mind, by adding " Unless a substantial barrier of material is between the blade and my body". I have since been able to gradually accept using Grrippers because they have a sturdy handle and a thick piece of plastic between my fingers and the blade. Using them also forces you to lower the blade to just above the surface of the work too.
To add to this, I have always had the highest respect of the dangers of using power cutting tools, and I clear my mind of everything else when about to use them. I always mentally dedicate myself to the process, and visualize each step before proceeding, to be certain that I won't end up violating the 6" rule as I make the cut. This has kept me safe all these years. I do not have a blade guard on my table saw, and never have., but my eyes are pointed at the blade and cutting point during the entire cut.
I have a laser line generator on the ceiling above my saw that puts a red cut line on my saw table to show the cutting line of the blade from ahead of the saw table to past the back end of the outfeed table. It shows the cut line on any work piece that is there as well. If my fingers should ever have a red line on them, they are in the wrong place. When doing dado cuts, this is especially important, since the blade is below the surface of the work and can't be seen, but what if there is a thin spot in the work and the dado blade breaks through the surface, or the saw depth adjustment changes from vibration? I have a one button remote on the top of my table saw fence that turns this laser line on and off, so it's easy and convenient to use. I bought this laser unit from Woodline many years ago.
Charley