Causes and Operator Prevention
of Kickback
• Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, bound or misaligned
wheel, wire brush or flap disc causing an uncontrolled cut-off
tool to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator.
• When the wheel is pinched or bound tightly by the workpiece,
the wheel stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly
back toward or away from 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 with both hands on the unit 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 wheel is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any
reason, release the trigger and hold the unit motionless
in the material until the wheel comes to a complete
stop. Never attempt to remove the unit from the work or
pull the unit backward while the wheel is in motion or
kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective actions
to eliminate the cause of wheel binding.
• When restarting a cut-off accessory in the workpiece,
check that the wheel is not engaged into the material.
If wheel is binding, it may walk up or kickback from the
workpiece as the tool is restarted.
• Support large panels to minimize the risk of wheel
pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under their
own weight. Support must be placed under the panel on both
sides, near the line of cut and near the edge of the panel.
WARNING: ALWAYS use safety glasses. Everyday eyeglasses
are NOT safety glasses. Also use face or dust mask if cutting
operation is dusty. ALWAYS WEAR CERTIFIED SAFETY
EQUIPMENT:
• ANSI Z87.1 eye protection (CAN/CSA Z94.3),
• ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) hearing protection,
• NIOSH/OSHA/MSHA respiratory protection.
WARNING: Always wear proper personal hearing protection
that conforms to ANSI S12.6 (S3.19) during use. Under some
conditions and duration of use, noise from this product may
contribute to hearing loss.
WARNING: Always use eye protection. All users and bystand-
ers must wear eye protection that conforms to ANSI Z87.1.
WARNING: Some dust created by power sanding, sawing,
grinding, drilling, and other construction activities contains
chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm. Some examples of these chemicals are:
• lead from lead-based paints,
• crystalline silica from bricks and cement and other masonry
products, and
• arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated lumber
(CCA).
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending on how often
you do this type of work. To reduce your exposure to these
chemicals: work in a well ventilated area, and work with approved
safety equipment, such as those dust masks that are specially
designed to filter out microscopic particles.
• Avoid prolonged contact with dust from power sanding,
sawing, grinding, drilling, and other construction activities.
Wear protective clothing and wash exposed areas with
soap and water. Allowing dust to get into your mouth, eyes, or
lay on the skin may promote absorption of harmful chemicals.
WARNING: Use of this tool can generate and/or disburse dust,
which may cause serious and permanent respiratory or other injury.
Always use NIOSH/OSHA approved respiratory protection
appropriate for the dust exposure. Direct particles away from face
and body.
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