English
Reactive Forces including Kickback
WARNING
Reactive forces may
occur at any time the cut-
ting wheel on a cut-off
machine is rotating. The
powerful force used to cut
through a workpiece can
be reversed and work
against the operator. If
the wheel is slowed or
stopped by frictional con-
tact with any solid object
or by a pinch or binding,
reactive forces can occur
instantly and may result
in the operator losing
control of the cut-off
machine, which, in turn,
may result in serious or
fatal injury.
An understanding of the causes of these
reactive forces may help you avoid loss
of control. Reactive forces are exerted in
a direction opposite to the direction in
which the wheel is moving at the point of
contact or of pinching / binding. If the
wheel is slowed solely by frictional
contact with a solid object, such as the
workpiece, the resulting reactive forces
are normally moderate and readily
controllable by an operator who is
holding the machine properly. If,
however, the wheel is abruptly slowed or
stopped by a pinch or severe bind, the
reactive forces may be substantially
greater. The greater the force
generated, the more difficult it will be for
the operator to control the cut-off
machine. Loss of control can result in
severe personal injury or death.
12
Pull-away, Climbing, Pinching and
Rotational Kickback Forces
The most common reactive forces are
pull-away and climbing. If the contact is
at the bottom of the wheel, a cut-off
machine will try to pull away from the
operator (pull-away.) If the contact is at
the front of the wheel, the wheel may
attempt to climb the object being cut
(climbing.)
Pinching occurs when the piece being
cut closes on the wheel. A severe
binding may also occur if the wheel is
substantially sideloaded in the kerf or if
an improper or damaged diamond wheel
begins or ceases to wobble in the kerf. If
the wheel is severely pinched or bound
in the upper quadrant, the wheel may be
instantly thrown up and back towards
the operator with great force in a
rotational kickback motion. Such
kickback situations can and should
always be avoided. Pinching of the
wheel can be prevented by proper
support of the workpiece. (See below.)
Severe binding of the wheel can be
prevented by proper cutting techniques,
e.g., not sideloading the wheel, and by
the use of properly designed,
manufactured and maintained wheels.
Reducing the Risk of Kickback Injury
WARNING
To reduce the risk of kickback injury,
avoid cutting with the upper quadrant of
the wheel where possible. Be especially
cautious for a pinching or binding of the
wheel in this area, which can cause
severe reactive forces in a rotational
kickback motion.
Be alert to potential movement of the
workpiece or anything else that could
cause the cut to close and pinch the
wheel. In order to reduce the risk of
TS 480i, TS 500i