SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
(continued)
10
CAUSES AND OPERATOR PREVENTION OF KICKBACK
•
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned saw blade causing
an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator. When the
blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf (saw cut) closing down, the blade stalls
and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator. If the blade
becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade can
dig into the top surface of the material causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and
jump back toward operator. Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper precautions
as given below:
•
Maintain a firm grip with both hands on the saw and position your body and arm to
allow you to resist KICKBACK forces. KICKBACK forces can be controlled by the
operator, if proper precautions are taken.
•
When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the trigger
and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop.
•
Never attempt to remove 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 in the workpiece, center the saw blade in the kerf and check
that saw teeth are not engaged into the material. If saw blade is binding, it may walk
up or KICKBACK from the workpiece as the saw is restarted.
•
Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade pinching and KICKBACK. 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 blade. Dull or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf
causing excessive friction, blade binding and KICKBACK.
•
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.
