CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF
KICKBACK – cont’d
Maintain a firm grip on the saw and position
your arms to resist kickback forces. Position
your bodyto the left or right side of the
blade, but not in line with the blade. Kickback
could cause the saw to jump backwards, but
kickback forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions aretaken.
When the blade isbinding, or when
interrupting a cut for anyreason, release the
trigger and hold the saw motionless inthe
material until the blade comes toa complete
stop. Never attempt toremove the saw from
the work or pull the saw backward while the
blade is in motion or kickback may occur.
Investigate and take corrective actions to
eliminate the cause of blade binding.
When restarting a saw inthe workpiece,
center the saw blade inthe kerf and check
that saw teeth are not engaged into the
material. If the saw blades are binding, it may
walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the
saw isrestarted.
Support large panels tominimize the risk of
blade pinching andkickback. Large panels
tend to sag under their own weight. Supports
must be placed under the panel on both sides,
near the line of cut and near the edge of the
panel.
Do not use dull or damaged blades.
Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce
narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade
binding and kickback.
Blade depth andbevel adjusting locking
levers must betight andsecure before
making cut. If blade adjustment shifts while
cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
Use extra caution when making a "plunge
cut" into existing walls or other blind areas.
The protruding blade may cut objects that can
cause kickback.
ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
Check the lower guard for proper closing
before each use. Do not operate the saw if
the lower guard does not move freely and
close instantly. Never clamp ortie the lower
guard into the open position. If the saw is
accidentally dropped, the lower guard may be
damaged. Raise the lower guard with the
retracting handle and make sure it moves freely
and does not touch the blade or any other part
in all depths of cuts.
Check the operation of the lower guard
spring. If the guard and the spring are not
operating properly, they must be serviced
before use. The lower guard may operate
sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy
deposits, or a build-up of debris.
The lower guard should be retracted
manually only for special cuts such as
"plunge cuts" and "compound cuts". Raise
lower guard byretracting handle and as
soon as the blade enters the material, the
lower guard must be released. For allother
sawing, the lower guard should operate
automatically.
Always observe that the lower guard is
covering the blade before placing sawdown
on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting
blade will cause the saw towalk backwards,
cutting whatever isin its path. Be aware of the
time ittakes for the blade to stop after the switch
is released.
Never operate the saw while it is being
carried toanother location. The blade guard
may be open and potentially cause serious
injury.
If the switch fails to turn the saw ON or OFF
properly, stop using itimmediately and have the
saw switch repaired.
Always allow the saw toreach full speed
before beginning the cut.
