Radial Arm Saw Safety Rules for Woodworking and Your Woodshop

• Lumber should be held firmly against the back fence for all crosscutting operations.
• It is recommended to not perform ripping operations on the radial arm saw if the same cut can be performed on the table saw.
• Make all adjustments to the saw before turning on the power.
• Always keep the blade guard and anti-kickback device in position when operating the machine.
• The saw blade should always rotate downward when performing a crosscut operation. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions, concerning blade rotation, when installing a new blade.
• Make sure all locking devices and clamps are tight and secure before turning on the saw.
• Grasp the handle firmly and pull the blade at a constant speed through the lumber. Do not jerk the handle nor pull the blade quickly. Doing so could cause the saw to bind-up and/or create a dangerous situation.
• Always pull the saw with one hand while the lumber is firmly held with the other hand.
• Never, ever place your hands or fingers in the path of the saw blade, or reach across the line of cut. It is recommended that you keep your hands a minimum of 6" away from the blade. If the wood is too short for you to comply with this rule, us a clamp to hold the wood in place.
• Always return the saw to its original position before removing the lumber.
• Remove any excess wood scraps from the saw table after each cut. Do not let them accumulate.
• For cross cutting long pieces of lumber, it is recommended to build extension tables on both sides of the saw for support.
• It is always a safe practice to wait until the blade has completely stopped before leaving the saw.

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