CSA 20L 115
11
Further safety instructions for all operations
Kickback and Related Warnings
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged rotating wheel, backing pad, brush or any
other accessory. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating accessory which in turn
causes the uncontrolled power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the accessory’s
rotation at the point of the binding.
For example, if an abrasive wheel is snagged or pinched by the work piece, the edge of the wheel
that is entering into the pinch point can dig into the surface of the material causing the wheel to
climb out or kick out. The wheel may either jump toward or away from the operator, depending on
direction of the wheel’s movement at the point of pinching. Abrasive wheels may also break under
these conditions.
Kickback is the result of power tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and
can be avoided by taking proper precautions as given below.
a) Maintain a firm grip on the power tool and position your body and arm to allow you to resist
kickback forces. Always use auxiliary handle, if provided, for maximum control over kickback or
torque reaction during start-up.
The operator can control torque reactions or kickback forces, if
proper precautions are taken.
b) Never place your hand near the rotating accessory.
Accessory may kickback over your hand.
c) Do not position your body in the area where power tool will move if kickback occurs.
Kickback
will propel the tool in direction opposite to the wheel’s movement at the point of snagging.
d) Use special care when working corners, sharp edges etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the
accessory.
Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have a tendency to snag the rotating accessory and
cause loss of control or kickback.
e) Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade or toothed saw blade.
Such blades create
frequent kickback and loss of control.
Additional safety instructions for grinding operations
Safety Warnings Specific for Grinding and cutting-off Operations:
a) Use only wheel types that are recommended for your power tool and the specific guard
designed for the selected wheel
. Wheels for which the power tool was not designed cannot be
adequately guarded and are unsafe.
b) The grinding surface of centre depressed wheels must be mounted below the plane of the guard
lip.
An improperly mounted wheel that projects through the plane of the guard lip cannot be
adequately protected.
c) The guard must be securely attached to the power tool and positioned for maximum safety, so
the least amount of wheel is exposed towards the operator
. The guard helps to protect operator
from broken wheel fragments and accidental contact with wheel and spark that could ignite
clothing
d) Wheels must be used only for recommended applications. For example: do not grind with the
side of cut-off wheel.
Abrasive cut-off wheels are intended for peripheral grinding, side forces
applied to these wheels may cause them to shatter.
e) Always use undamaged wheel flanges that are of correct size and shape for your selected
wheel.
Proper wheel flanges support the wheel thus reducing the possibility of wheel breakage.
Flanges for cut-off wheels may be different from grinding wheel flanges.
f) Do not use worn down wheels from larger power tools.
Wheel intended for larger power tool is not
suitable for the higher speed of a smaller tool and may burst.
