Miter Saw Safety

Summary of Safe Operating Procedures for the Miter Saw (printable version)
 Always keep hands and fingers at least 4 inches from the blade.
 Do not attempt to make freehand cuts.
 Hold or clamp all material securely against the fence when cutting.
 Prevent kickback on bowed boards by always placing the crown of the bow against the fence.
 Do not attempt to cut small pieces that cannot be held from a safe distance or clamped securely.
 Do not cut stock that has loose knots.
 When using fence stops, make certain the small cutoff will not be trapped between the stop and the blade.
 Do not reach into the cutting area until the blade comes to a full stop.
 ALWAYS BE AWARE of where your fingers are in relation to the cutting blade.
 Do not start the saw with wood touching the saw blade
 Start cutting with the blade closest to you. Pull back on the guard release, press the power switch and allow the blade to reach full speed before beginning the cut. Start the cut gently, pushing the blade forward on its slides as you cut.
 After completing a cut, release the power switch and allow the blade to come to a complete stop before raising the blade from the workpiece.
 Never reach under the saw blade or perform “cross handed” operations.
 Do not try to remove the work piece or cutoff from the saw while the blade is rotating.
 When making miter, bevel, or compound miter/bevel cuts adjust the sliding fences in advance for maximum support on both sides of the cut, taking care not to cut the fences. Use backup sacrificial fences when dealing with delicate cuts.