5
b) Feed the workpiece into the saw blade or
cutter 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.
c) 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.
d) When ripping, 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 150 mm,
and use a push block when this distance is less
than 50 mm. “Work helping” devices will keep your
hand at a safe distance from the saw blade.
e) 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.
f) Never use a damaged or cut push stick. A
damaged push stick may break causing your hand to
slip into the saw blade.
g) 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.
h) Never reach around or over a rotating saw
blade. Reaching for a workpiece may lead to
accidental contact with the moving saw blade.
i) 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.
j) Feed workpiece at an even pace. Do not
bend or twist the workpiece. If jamming occurs,
turn the tool off immediately, unplug the tool then
clear the jam. Jamming the saw blade by the
workpiece can cause kickback or stall the motor.
k) 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.
l) Use an auxiliary fence in contact with the
table top when ripping workpieces less than 2 mm
thick. A thin workpiece may wedge under the rip fence
and create a kickback.
3) 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.
a) 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.
b) 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.
c) Never hold and press the workpiece that is
being cut off against the rotating saw blade.
To Next Page
Loading...
