Safety instructions for circular saws

  • DANGER: Keep hands away from cutting area and the blade. If both hands are holding the saw, they cannot be cut by the blade.
  • Do not reach underneath the workpiece. The guard cannot protect you from the blade below the workpiece.
  • Adjust the cutting depth to the thickness of the workpiece. Less than a full tooth of the blade teeth should be visible below the workpiece.
  • Never hold the workpiece in your hands or across your leg while cutting. Secure the workpiece to a stable platform. It is important to support the work properly to minimise body exposure, blade binding, or loss of control.
  • Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces, when performing an operation where the cutting tool may contact hidden wiring. Contact with a "live" wire will also make exposed metal parts of the power tool "live" and could give the operator an electric shock.
  • When ripping always use a rip fence or straight edge guide. This improves the accuracy of cut and reduces the chance of blade binding.
  • Always use blades with correct size and shape (diamond versus round) of arbour holes. Blades that do not match the mounting hardware of the saw will run off-centre, causing loss of control.
  • Never use damaged or incorrect blade washers or bolt. The blade washers and bolt were specially designed for your saw, for optimum performance and safety of operation.

- kickback is a sudden reaction to a pinched, jammed or misaligned saw blade, causing an uncontrolled saw to lift up and out of the workpiece toward the operator;

- when the blade is pinched or jammed tightly by the kerf closing down, the blade stalls and the motor reaction drives the unit rapidly back toward the operator;

- if the blade becomes twisted or misaligned in the cut, the teeth at the back edge of the blade can dig into the top surface of the wood causing the blade to climb out of the kerf and jump back toward the operator.

Kickback is the result of saw 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 saw and position your arms to resist kickback forces. Position your body to either side of the blade, but not in line with the blade. Kickback could cause the saw to jump backwards, but kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are taken.
  • When blade is binding, or when interrupting a cut for any reason, release the trigger and hold the saw motionless in the material until the blade comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to remove the saw from the work or pull the saw backward while the blade is in motion or kickback may occur. Investigate and take corrective actions to eliminate the cause of blade binding.
  • When restarting a saw in the workpiece, centre the saw blade in the kerf so that the saw teeth are not engaged into the material. If a saw blade binds, it may walk up or kickback from the workpiece as the saw is restarted.
  • Support large panels to minimise the risk of blade pinching and kickback. Large panels tend to sag under their own weight. Supports must be placed under the panel on both sides, near the line of cut and near the edge of the panel.
  • Do not use dull or damaged blades. Unsharpened or improperly set blades produce narrow kerf causing excessive friction, blade binding and kickback.
  • Blade depth and bevel adjusting locking levers must be tight and secure before making the cut. If blade adjustment shifts while cutting, it may cause binding and kickback.
  • Use extra caution when sawing into existing walls or other blind areas. The protruding blade may cut objects that can cause kickback.

  • Check the guard for proper closing before each use. Do not operate the saw if the guard does not move freely and enclose the blade instantly. Never clamp or tie the guard so that the blade is exposed. If the saw is accidentally dropped, the guard may be bent. Check to make sure that the guard moves freely and does not touch the blade or any other part, in all angles and depths of cut.
  • Check the operation and condition of the guard return spring. If the guard and the spring are not operating properly, they must be serviced before use.The guard may operate sluggishly due to damaged parts, gummy deposits, or a build-up of debris.
  • Assure that the base plate of the saw will not shift while performing a “plunge cut”. Blade shifting sideways will cause binding and likely kick back.
  • Always observe that the guard is covering the blade before placing the saw down on bench or floor. An unprotected, coasting blade will cause the saw to walk backwards, cutting whatever is in its path. Be aware of the time it takes for the blade to stop after switch is released.

  • Do not allow the chip ejector to come into contact with your hands. You may be injured by rotating parts.
  • Do not use the saw above the level of your head. Doing so will mean you have inadequate control of the power tool.
  • Use suitable detectors to determine if there are hidden supply lines or contact the local utility company for assistance. Contact with electric cables can cause fire and electric shock. Damaging gas lines can lead to explosion. Breaking water pipes causes property damage.
  • Secure the workpiece. A workpiece clamped with clamping devices or in a vice is held more secure than by hand.
  • Hold the power tool firmly with both hands and make sure you have a stable footing. The power tool can be more securely guided with both hands.
  • Do not operate the power tool when stationary . It is not suitable for operation with a saw table.
  • Do not use HSS saw blades. Such saw blades can easily break.
  • Do not saw any ferrous metals. Hot chips may ignite the dust extractor.
  • Wear a dust mask.
  • In case of damage and improper use of the battery, vapours may be emitted. The battery can set alight or explode. Ensure the area is well ventilated and seek medical attention should you experience any adverse effects. The vapours may irritate the respiratory system.
  • Do not open the battery. There is a risk of short-circuiting.
  • The battery can be damaged by pointed objects such as nails or screwdrivers or by force applied externally. An internal short circuit may occur, causing the battery to burn, smoke, explode or overheat.
  • Only use the battery with products from the manufacturer. This is the only way in which you can protect the battery against dangerous overload.

Protect the battery against heat, e.g. against continuous intense sunlight, fire, dirt, water and moisture. There is a risk of explosion and short-circuiting.

  • Always wait until the power tool has come to a complete stop before placing it down. The application tool can jam and cause you to lose control of the power tool.
  • Caution! When using the power tool with Bluetooth®, a fault may occur in other devices and systems, aeroplanes and medical devices (e.g. pacemakers, hearing aids). Also, damage to people and animals in the immediate vicinity cannot be completely excluded. Do not use the power tool with Bluetooth® in the vicinity of medical devices, petrol stations, chemical plants, areas with a potentially explosive atmosphere or in blasting areas. Do not use the power tool with Bluetooth® in aircraft. Avoid using the product near your body for extended periods.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH is under license.