20 • ENGLISH
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 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.
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. When restarting a saw in the workpiece, center
the saw blade in the kerf and check that the 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.
d. Support large panels to minimize the risk of blade
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.
e. Do not use dull or damaged blade. Unsharpened or
improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing
excessive friction, blade binding, and KICKBACK.
f. Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers
must be tight and secure before making cut.
If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause
binding and KICKBACK.
g. Use extra caution when making a "Pocket Cut"
into existing walls or other blind areas.
The protruding blade may cut objects that can
cause KICKBACK.
SAFETY GUIDELINES/DEFINITIONS
It is important for you to read and understand this manual.
The information it contains relates to protecting Your Safety
and Preventing Problems. The symbols below are used to
help you recognize this information.
Danger! Indicates an imminently hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
Warning! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Caution! Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
Caution! Used without the safety alert symbol indicates
potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in property damage.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULES
FOR CIRCULAR SAWS
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,
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.
Caution! Wear appropriate hearing protection during
use. Under some conditions and duration of use, noise from
this product may contribute to hearing loss.
Snagging the lower guard on a surface below the
material being cut can momentarily reduce operator
control. The saw can lift partially out of the cut increasing
the chance of blade twist. Ensure there is sufficient
clearance under the workpiece.
When necessary to raise lower guard manually, use
the retracting lever.
Keep the Blades Clean and Sharp. Sharp blades
minimize stalling and kickback. The use of dull and/or
dirty blades can increase the saw loading causing the
operator to push harder which promotes twisting.
Caution! Laceration Hazard. Keep hands away from
cutting areas. Keep hands away from blades. Never place
hands in front of or behind the path of the blade while