Safety Rules For Circular Saws - Craftsman 172.10853 Owner's Manual

SAFETY RULES FOR CIRCULAR SAWS
I Z_ DANGERI Keep hands away from cutting area and blade, I
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Keep your second hand on the auxiliary handle or motor housing.
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If both hands are holding the saw, they cannot be cut by the blade,
1. ALWAYS keep your body positioned to either side of the saw blade, but
not in line with the saw blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump
backwards.
(See Kickback...What Causes It and Ways to Prevent It on pages 7-8).
2. DO NOT reach underneath the work. The guard cannot protect you from
the blade beneath the work.
3. ALWAYS check lower guard for proper closing BEFORE each use.
DO NOT operate the saw if the lower guard does not move freely and
close instantly. Never clamp or tie the lower guard in the open position.
If the saw is accidentally dropped, the lower guard may be bent. Raise the
lower guard with the retracting handle. Make sure that it moves freely and
does not touch the blade or any other part in all angles and depths of cut.
4. ALWAYS check the operation and condition of the lower guard spring.
If the guard and the spring are not operating properly, they MUST be
serviced before use. The lower guard may operate sluggishly, due to
damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a buildup of debris.
5. The lower guard should be retracted manually ONLY for making special
cuts, such as pocket or compound cuts. ALWAYS raise the lower guard
by retracting the handle. As soon as the blade enters the material, the
lower guard MUST be released. For all other sawing, the lower guard
should operate automatically.
6. ALWAYS make sure that the lower guard Is covering the blade BEFORE
placing the saw down on a work bench or floor. An unprotected moving
blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path.
Make note of the time it takes for the blade to stop spinning after the
switch is released.
7. NEVER hold the piece being cut In your hands or across your legs.
It is important to support the work properly in order to minimize body
exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.
8. ALWAYS hold tool by insulated gripping surfaces when performing
an operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring or its
own cord. Contact with a 'live" wire will make the exposed metal parts of
the tool "live" and shock the operator.
9. When ripping, ALWAYS use a rip fence or straight edge guide. This
improves the accuracy of the cut and reduces the chance of the blade binding.
10. ALWAYS use blades that have the correct size and shape (diamond
vs. round) arbor holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware
of the saw will run erratically and will cause loss of control.
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