
GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
TABLE SAW SAFETY WARNINGS
Guarding related warnings
• Keep guards in place. Guards must be in working order and be properly mounted. A guard that is loose,
damaged, or is not functioning correctly must be repaired or replaced.
• Always use saw blade guard and riving knife for every through-cutting operation. For through-cutting
operations where the saw blade cuts completely through the thickness of the workpiece, the guard and
other safety devices help reduce the risk of injury.
• Make sure the saw blade is not contacting the guard, riving knife or the workpiece before the switch is
turned on. Inadvertent contact of these items with the saw blade could cause a hazardous condition.
• Adjust the riving knife as described in this instruction manual. Incorrect spacing, positioning and
alignment can make the riving knife ineffective in reducing the likelihood of kickback.
• For the riving knife to work, it must be engaged in the workpiece. The riving knife is ineffective when
cutting workpieces that are too short to be engaged with the riving knife. Under these conditions a
kickback cannot be prevented by the riving knife.
• Use the appropriate saw blade for the riving knife. For the riving knife to function properly, the saw blade
diameter must match the appropriate riving knife and the body of the saw blade must be thinner than
the thickness of the riving knife and the cutting width of the saw blade must be wider than the thickness
of the riving knife.
Cutting procedures warnings
• Danger: Never place your fingers or hands in the vicinity or in line with the saw blade. A moment of
inattention or a slip could direct your hand towards the saw blade and result in serious personal injury
• Feed the workpiece into the saw blade only against the direction of rotation. Feeding the workpiece in the
same direction that the saw blade is rotating above the table may result in the workpiece, and your hand,
being pulled into the saw blade.
• Never use the mitre gauge to feed the workpiece when ripping and do not use the rip fence as a length
stop when cross cutting with the mitre gauge. Guiding the workpiece with the rip fence and the mitre
gauge at the same time increases the likelihood of saw blade binding and kickback.
• When ripping, always keep the workpiece in full contact with the fence and always apply the workpiece
feeding force between the fence and the saw blade. Use a push stick when the distance between the
fence and the saw blade is less than 150mm, and use a push block when this distance is less than
50mm. “Work helping” devices will keep your hand at a safe distance from the saw blade.
• Use only the push stick provided by the manufacturer or constructed in accordance with the instructions.
This push stick provides sufficient distance of the hand from the saw blade.
• Never use a damaged or cut push stick. A damaged or cut push stick may break causing your hand to
slip into the saw blade.
• Do not perform any operation “freehand”. Always use either the rip fence or the mitre gauge to position
and guide the workpiece. “Freehand” means using your hands to support or guide the workpiece, in lieu
of a rip fence or mitre gauge. Freehand sawing leads to misalignment, binding and kickback.
• Never reach around or over a rotating saw blade. Reaching for a workpiece may lead to accidental
contact with the moving saw blade.
• Provide auxiliary workpiece support to the rear and/or sides of the saw table for long and/or wide
workpieces to keep them level. A long and/or wide workpiece has a tendency to pivot on the table’s
edge, causing loss of control, saw blade binding and kickback.
• Feed the workpiece at an even pace. Do not bend, twist or shift the workpiece from side to side. If
jamming occurs, turn the tool off immediately, unplug the tool, then clean the jam. Jamming the saw
blade by the workpiece can cause kickback or stall the motor.
• Do not remove pieces of cut-off material while the saw is running. The material may become trapped
between the fence or inside the saw blade guard and the saw blade pulling your fingers into the saw
blade. Turn the saw off and wait until the saw blade stops before removing material.
• Use an auxiliary fence in contact with the table top when ripping workpieces less than 2mm thick. A thin
workpiece may wedge under the rip fence and create a kickback.
Kickback causes and related warnings
Kickback is a sudden reaction of the workpiece due to a pinched, jammed saw blade or misaligned line of cut in
the workpiece with respect to the saw blade or when a part of the workpiece binds between the saw blade and
the rip fence or other fixed object. Most frequently during kickback, the workpiece is lifted from the table by the
rear portion of the saw blade and is propelled towards the operator. Kickback is the result of saw misuse and/
or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.
• Never stand directly in line with the saw blade. Always position your body on the same side of the saw
blade as the fence. Kickback may propel the workpiece at high velocity towards anyone standing in front
and in line with the saw blade.
• Never reach over or in back of the saw blade to pull or to support the workpiece. Accidental contact with
the saw blade may occur or kickback may drag your fingers into the saw blade.
• Never hold and press the workpiece that is being cut off against the rotating saw blade. Pressing the
workpiece being cut off against the saw blade will create a binding condition and kickback.
• Align the fence to be parallel with the saw blade. A misaligned fence will pinch the workpiece against the
saw blade and create kickback.
• Support large panels to minimise the risk of saw blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag
under their own weight. Support(s) must be placed under all portions of the panel overhanging the table
top.
• Use extra caution when cutting a workpiece that is twisted, knotted, warped or does not have a straight
edge to guide it with a mitre gauge or along the fence. A warped, knotted, or twisted workpiece is
unstable and causes misalignment of the kerf with the saw blade, binding and kickback.
• Never cut more than one workpiece, stacked vertically or horizontally. The saw blade could pick up one or
more pieces and cause kickback.
• When restarting the saw with the saw blade in the workpiece, centre the saw blade in the kerf so that
the saw teeth are not engaged in the material. If the saw blade binds, it may lift up the workpiece and
cause kickback when the saw is restarted.
• Keep saw blades clean, sharp, and with sufficient set. Never use warped saw blades or saw blades with
cracked or broken teeth. Sharp and properly set saw blades minimise binding, stalling and kickback.
Table saw operating procedure warnings
• Turn off the table saw and disconnect the battery packs when removing the table insert, changing the
saw blade or making adjustments to the riving knife or saw blade guard, and when the machine is left
unattended. Precautionary measures will avoid accidents.
• Never leave the table saw running unattended. Turn it off and don’t leave the tool until it comes to a
complete stop. An unattended running saw is an uncontrolled hazard.
• Locate the table saw in a well-lit and level area where you can maintain good footing and balance. It
should be installed in an area that provides enough room to easily handle the size of your workpiece.
Cramped, dark areas, and uneven slippery floors invite accidents.
• Frequently clean and remove sawdust from under the saw table and/or the dust collection device.
Accumulated sawdust is combustible and may self-ignite.
• The table saw must be secured. A table saw that is not properly secured may move or tip over.
• Remove tools, wood scraps, etc. from the table before the table saw is turned on. Distraction or a
potential jam can be dangerous.
• Always use saw blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Saw blades
that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run off-centre, causing loss of control.
• Never use damaged or incorrect saw blade mounting means such as flanges, saw blade washers, bolts
or nuts. These mounting means were specially designed for your saw, for safe operation and optimum
performance.
• Never stand on the table saw, do not use it as a stepping stool. Serious injury could occur if the tool is
tipped or if the cutting tool is accidentally contacted.
• Make sure that the saw blade is installed to rotate in the proper direction. Do not use grinding wheels,
wire brushes, or abrasive wheels on a table saw. Improper saw blade installation or use of accessories
not recommended may cause serious injury.
Additional warnings
• Avoid using power tools for long periods of time without breaks. Vibration from tools can be transmitted
into your hands and arms.
• This tool is designed to cut timber products only. Do not use the tool to cut any other materials. Do not
cut firewood with this tool. The irregular shape of firewood makes it unsafe to cut with this tool.
• Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making a cut. If blade
adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback. Ensure all clamps, levers and locking
knobs are securely tightened prior to operation. This will result in projects being produced accurately
and safely.
• When the blade binds in material being cut, switch off the tool and wait for blade to come to a complete
stop. Investigate and take corrective action to eliminate cause of binding.
• Do not use the saw to perform rebate or groove cuts unless suitable guarding, such as tunnel guard, is
fitted above the saw table. Do not use the saw for slotting (stopped groove) cuts.
• Use only transportation devices and never use the cuttings guards for handling or transportation
when transporting the machine. Always ensure the blades are covered by the blade guard during
transportation.
WARNING! Read all safety warnings, instructions, illustrations and specifications provided with
this power tool. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and/
or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated
(cordless) power tool.
1) Work area safety
a) Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
b) Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids,
gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
c) Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose
control.
2) Electrical safety
a) Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter
plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will reduce risk of
electric shock.
b) Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
c) Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the risk
of electric shock.
d) Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep
cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk
of electric shock.
e) When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a cord
suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
f) If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD)
protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.
3) Personal safety
a) Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use
a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment of
inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
b) Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as a dust
mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce
personal injuries.
c) Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power
source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your finger on
the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
d) Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left attached
to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
e) Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the
power tool in unexpected situations.
f) Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair and clothing away from moving
parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
g) If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are
connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
h) Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore
tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
4) Power tool use and care
a) Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power tool
will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
b) Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot be
controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
c) Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or remove the battery pack, if detachable, from
the power tool before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such
preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
d) Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the
power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the hands of
untrained users.
e) Maintain power tools and accessories. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage
of parts and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the
power tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
f) Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less
likely to bind and are easier to control.
g) Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into
account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for operations
different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
h) Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles and
grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.
5) Battery tool use and care
a) Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer. A charger that is suitable for one type of
battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
b) Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs. Use of any other battery packs may
create a risk of injury and fire.
c) When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins, keys,
nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to another.
Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
d) Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact accidentally
occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help. Liquid ejected from the
battery may cause irritation or burns.
e) Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified. Damaged or modified batteries may
exhibit unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
f) Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to fire or temperature
above 130 °C may cause explosion.
g) Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside the temperature
range specified in the instructions. Charging improperly or at temperatures outside the specified range
may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.
6) Service
a) Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts. This
will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.
b) Never service damaged battery packs. Service of battery packs should only be performed by the
manufacturer or authorized service providers.