5
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:
a) 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 reaction or kickback forces, if proper precautions are
taken.
b) Never place your hand near the rotating accessory. Accessory may kickback
over your hand.
c) Do not position your body in the area where power tool will move if kickback
occurs. Kickback will propel the tool in direction opposite to the wheel’s
movement at the point of snagging.
d
)
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.
e) 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
a) 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.
b) 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 operator from broken wheel fragments,
accidental contact with wheel, and sparks that could ignite clothing.
c) 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.
d
)
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.
e) 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
a) 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.
b) 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.
c) 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.
d
)
Do not restart the cutting operation in the workpiece. Let the wheel reach full
speed and carefully reenter the cut. The wheel may bind, walk up or kickback if
the power tool is restarted in the workpiece.
e) 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.