Kawasaki 840056 Safety Rules for Circular SAW, Causes and Prevention of Kickback

Lower guard should be retracted manually only for special cuts such as “Pocket Cuts” and “Compound Cuts.” Raise lower guard by Retracting Handle. As soon as the blade enters the material, lower guard must be released. For all other saw- ing, the lower guard should operate automatically.

Always observe that the lower guard is covering the blade before placing saw down on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to stop after the switch is released.

NEVER hold piece being cut in your hands or across your leg. It is important to support the work properly to minimize body exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.

Hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a “live” wire will also make exposed metal parts of the tool “live” and shock the operator.

When ripping always use a rip fence or straight edge guide. This improves the accuracy of the cut and reduces the chance for blade binding.

Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond vs. round) arbor holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run eccentrically, causing loss of control.

Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolts. The blade washers and bolts were specifically designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of operation.

SAFETY RULES FOR CIRCULAR SAW

NEVER assume the blade has stopped just because the trigger has been released. Blades may continue moving even after the motor stops.

Always wear safety goggles or eye protection when using this tool. Use a dust mask or respirator for applications which generate dust. This saw may throw up debris that could lodge in the eyes causing severe pain or injury.

Inspect the bolts and blade washers before each use. Damaged or incorrect bolts or blade washers can cause injury.

When using the Circular Saw, always maintain a firm grip on the tool with both hands. Never put your hands or feet in the cutting area. Do not grasp the tool or place your hands too close to the blade. Keep your hands well away from the blade. Never reach underneath the tool while the blade is in motion. Do not use your legs or feet to stabilize the work piece.

Keep the handle of the Cordless Circular Saw dry, clean and free from oil and grease.

Do not run the Cordless Circular Saw while carrying it at your side. A mov- ing blade could cause serious personal injury.

Disconnect battery pack from tool and place the switch in the locked or “OFF” position before making any assembly adjustments, changing acces- sories, performing any inspection, maintenance or cleaning procedures. Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting the tool accidentally which could cause serious personal injury.

Be extra careful when cutting in high or hard-to-reach locations. Avoid saw- ing overhead. Be on the lookout for hidden wires and falling debris.

Do not use the Cordless Circular Saw if it has been damaged, left outdoors in the rain, snow, wet or damp environments, or immersed in liquid.

Maintain labels and nameplates on the Cordless Circular Saw. These carry important information. If unreadable or missing, contact Alltrade for a replacement.

CAUSES AND 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 work piece toward the operator.

When the blade is pinched or bound tightly by the kerf 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 wood causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back toward the 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 on the saw and position your body and arm in a way that allows 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 work piece, center the saw blade in the kerf and check that teeth are not engaged into the material. If saw blade is binding, it may walk up or KICKBACK from the work piece as the saw is restarted.

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