Safety Warnings Specific For Grinding And Abrasive Cutting-Off Operations; Additional Safety Warnings Specific For Abrasive Cutting-Off Operations; Residual Risks - Ryobi R18AG7 Original Instructions Manual

Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged
rotating wheel, backing pad, brush or any other accessory.
Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling of the rotating
accessory which in turn causes the uncontrolled power tool
to be forced in the direction opposite of the accessory's
rotation at the point of binding.
For example, if an abrasive wheel is snagged or pinched
by the workpiece, the edge of the wheel that is entering
into the pinch point can dig into the surface of the material
causing the wheel to climb out or kick out. The wheel may
either jump toward or away from the operator, depending
on the direction of the wheel's movement at the point of
pinching. Abrasive wheels may also break under these
conditions.
Kickback is the result of power 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 power tool and position
your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback
forces. Always use auxiliary handle, if provided, for
maximum control over kickback or torque reaction
during startup. The operator can control torque
reactions or kickback forces, if proper precautions are
taken.
■ Never place your hand near the rotating accessory.
Accessory may kickback over your hand.
■ Do not position your body in the area where power
tool will move if kickback occurs. Kickback will
propel the tool in the direction opposite to the wheel's
movement at the point of snagging.
■ Use special care when working corners, sharp
edges, etc. Avoid bouncing and snagging the
accessory. Corners, sharp edges or bouncing have a
tendency to snag the rotating accessory and cause loss
of control or kickback.
■ Do not attach a saw chain woodcarving blade or
toothed saw blade. Such blades create frequent
kickback and loss of control.
SAFETY WARNINGS SPECIFIC FOR GRINDING AND
ABRASIVE CUTTING-OFF OPERATIONS
■ Use only wheel types that are recommended for
your power tool and the specific guard designed
for the selected wheel. Wheels for which the power
tool was not designed cannot be adequately guarded
and are unsafe.
■ The grinding surface of centre depressed wheels
must be mounted below the plane of the guard lip.
An improperly mounted wheel that projects through the
plane of the guard lip cannot be adequately protected.
■ The guard must be securely attached to the power
tool and positioned for maximum safety, so the
least amount of wheel is exposed towards the
operator. The guard helps to protect the operator from
broken wheel fragments, accidental contact with wheel
and sparks that could ignite clothing.
■ Wheels must be used only for recommended
applications. For example, do not grind with the
side of cut-off wheel. Abrasive cut-off wheels are
intended for peripheral grinding, side forces applied to
these wheels may cause them to shatter.
Always use undamaged wheel flanges that are of
■
correct size and shape for your selected wheel.
Proper wheel flanges support the wheel thus reducing
the possibility of wheel breakage. Flanges for cut-off
wheels may be different from grinding wheel flanges.
■ Do not use worn down wheels from larger power
tools. Wheel intended for larger power tool is not
suitable for the higher speed of a smaller tool and may
burst.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY WARNINGS SPECIFIC FOR
ABRASIVE CUTTING-OFF OPERATIONS
■ Do not "jam" the cut-off wheel or apply excessive
pressure. Do not attempt to make an excessive
depth of cut. Overstressing the wheel increases the
loading and susceptibility to twisting or binding of the
wheel in the cut and the possibility of kickback or wheel
breakage.
■ Do not position your body in line with and behind
the rotating wheel. When the wheel, at the point of
operation, is moving away from your body, the possible
kickback may propel the spinning wheel and the power
tool directly at you.
■ When wheel is binding or when interrupting a cut
for any reason, switch off the power tool and hold
the power tool motionless until the wheel comes to
a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the cut-
off wheel from the cut while the wheel is in motion,
otherwise kickback may occur. Investigate and
take corrective action to eliminate the cause of wheel
binding.
■ Do not restart the cutting operation in the workpiece.
Let the wheel reach full speed and carefully re-enter
the cut. The wheel may bind, walk up or kickback if the
power tool is restarted in the workpiece.
■ Support panels or any oversized workpiece to
minimize the risk of wheel pinching and kickback.
Large workpieces tend to sag under their own weight.
Supports must be placed under the workpiece near the
line of cut and near the edge of the workpiece on both
sides of the wheel.
■ Use extra caution when making a "pocket cut" into
existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding
wheel may cut gas or water pipes, electrical wiring or
objects that can cause kickback.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY WARNING
WARNING
Always check that the spindle lock button is fully released
before switching on the product.

RESIDUAL RISKS

Even when the angle grinder is used as prescribed, it is
still impossible to completely eliminate certain residual risk
factors. The following hazards may arise and the operator
should pay special attention to avoid the following:
■ Injury caused by thrown-off particles
– Metal or abrasive particles may enter the eyes and
cause severe permanent damage. Wear goggles
approved for grinding operations whenever you use
the product.
■ Injury caused by vibration
– Limit exposure. See Risk Reduction.
■ Injury caused by dust
3