Ryobi PSBCS02 Operator's Manual page 4

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUT-OFF TOOLS
 The outside diameter and the thickness of your
accessory must be within the capacity rating of your
power tool. Incorrectly sized accessories cannot be
adequately guarded or controlled.
 The arbour size of wheels and flanges must properly fit
the spindle of the power tool. Wheels and flanges with
arbour holes that do not match the mounting hardware of
the power tool will run out of balance, vibrate excessively
and may cause loss of control.
 Do not use damaged wheels. Before each use, inspect
the wheels for chips and cracks. If power tool or
wheel is dropped, inspect for damage or install an
undamaged wheel. After inspecting and installing the
wheel, position yourself and bystanders away from
the plane of the rotating wheel and run the power tool
at maximum no load speed for one minute. Damaged
wheels will normally break apart during this test time.
 Wear personal protective equipment. Depending
on application, use face shield, safety goggles or
safety glasses. As appropriate, wear dust mask,
hearing protectors, gloves and shop apron capable
of stopping small abrasive or workpiece fragments.
The eye protection must be capable of stopping flying
debris generated by various operations. The dust mask or
respirator must be capable of filtrating particles generated
by your operation. Prolonged exposure to high intensity
noise may cause hearing loss.
 Keep bystanders a safe distance away from work area.
Anyone entering the work area must wear personal
protective equipment. Fragments of workpiece or of
a broken wheel may fly away and cause injury beyond
immediate area of operation.
 Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces
only, when performing an operation where the
cutting accessory may contact hidden wiring. Cutting
accessory contacting a "live" wire may make exposed
metal parts of the power tool "live" and could give the
operator an electric shock.
 Never lay the power tool down until the accessory has
come to a complete stop. The spinning wheel may grab
the surface and pull the power tool out of your control.
 Do not run the power tool while carrying it at your
side. Accidental contact with the spinning accessory
could snag your clothing, pulling the accessory into your
body.
 Regularly clean the power tool's air vents. The motor's
fan will draw the dust inside the housing and excessive
accumulation of powdered metal may cause electrical
hazards.
 Do not operate the power tool near flammable
materials. Sparks could ignite these materials.
KICKBACK AND RELATED WARNINGS:
Kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched or snagged
rotating wheel. Pinching or snagging causes rapid stalling
of the rotating wheel which in turn causes the uncontrolled
power tool to be forced in the direction opposite of the
wheel's rotation at the point of the 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 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 start-up. 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 line with the rotating
wheel. Kickback will propel the tool in 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,
segmented diamond wheel with a peripheral gap
greater than 10 mm or toothed saw blade. Such blades
create frequent kickback and loss of control.
4 - English