General safety rules – Ryobi RTS20 User Manual
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WARNING:
Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow 
all instructions listed below, may result in electric shock, 
fire and/or serious personal injury.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
KNOW YOUR POWER TOOL. Read the operator’s 
manual carefully. Learn the saw’s applications and 
limitations as well as the specific potential hazards related 
to this tool.
GUARD AGAINST ELECTRICAL SHOCK BY 
PREVENTING BODY CONTACT WITH GROUNDED 
SURFACES. For example, pipes, radiators, ranges, 
refrigerator enclosures.
KEEP GUARDS IN PLACE and in good working order.
REMOVE ADJUSTING KEYS AND WRENCHES. Form 
habit of checking to see that keys and adjusting wrenches 
are removed from tool before turning it on.
KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and 
benches invite accidents.
DO NOT leave tools or pieces
of wood on the saw while it is in operation.
DO NOT USE IN DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENTS. Do 
not use power tools in damp or wet locations or expose 
to rain. Keep the work area well lit.
KEEP CHILDREN AND VISITORS AWAY. All visitors 
should wear safety glasses and be kept a safe 
distance from work area. Do not let visitors contact 
tool or extension cord while operating.
MAKE WORKSHOP CHILDPROOF with padlocks and 
master switches, or by removing starter keys.
DON’T FORCE TOOL. It will do the job better and safer 
at the feed rate for which it was designed.
USE RIGHT TOOL. Don’t force the tool or attachment to 
do a job it was not designed for. Don’t use it for a purpose 
not intended.
USE THE PROPER EXTENSION CORD. Make sure 
your extension cord is in good condition. Use only a 
cord heavy enough to carry the current your product 
will draw. An undersized cord will cause a drop in line 
voltage resulting in loss of power and overheating. A wire 
gauge size (A.W.G.) of at least 
14 is recommended for an
extension cord 25 feet or less in length. If in doubt, use 
the next heavier gauge. The smaller the gauge number, 
the heavier the cord.
DRESS PROPERLY. Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, 
neckties, or jewelry. They can get caught and draw you 
into moving parts. Rubber gloves and nonskid footwear 
are recommended when working outdoors. Also wear 
protective hair covering to contain long hair.
ALWAYS WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WITH SIDE 
SHIELDS. Everyday eyeglasses have only impact- 
resistant lenses, they are 
NOT safety glasses.
SECURE WORK. Use clamps or a vise to hold work when 
practical. It’s safer than using your hand and frees both 
hands to operate tool.
DON’T OVERREACH. Keep proper footing and balance 
at all times.
MAINTAIN TOOLS WITH CARE. Keep tools sharp 
and clean for better and safer performance. Follow 
instructions for lubricating and changing accessories.
DISCONNECT TOOLS. When not in use, before 
servicing, or when changing attachments, blades, bits, 
cutters, etc., all tools should be disconnected.
AVOID ACCIDENTAL STARTING. Be sure switch is off 
when plugging in any tool.
USE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES. Consult the 
operator’s manual for recommended accessories. The 
use of improper accessories may risk injury.
NEVER STAND ON TOOL. Serious injury could occur if 
the tool is tipped or if the cutting tool is unintentionally 
contacted.
CHECK DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use of the 
tool, a guard or other part that is damaged should be 
carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly 
and perform its intended function. Check for alignment 
of moving parts, binding of moving parts, breakage of 
parts, mounting and any other conditions that may affect 
its operation. A guard or other part that is damaged must 
be properly repaired or replaced by an authorized service 
center to avoid risk of personal injury.
USE THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF FEED. Feed work into 
a blade or cutter against the direction of rotation of blade 
or cutter only.
NEVER LEAVE TOOL RUNNING UNATTENDED. TURN 
THE POWER OFF. Don’t leave tool until it comes to a 
complete stop.
PROTECT YOUR LUNGS. Wear a face or dust mask if 
the cutting operation is dusty.
PROTECT YOUR HEARING. Wear hearing protection 
during extended periods of operation.
DO NOT ABUSE CORD. Never yank cord to disconnect 
from receptacle. Keep cord away from heat, oil, and sharp 
edges.
WHEN OPERATING A POWER TOOL OUTSIDE, USE 
AN OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD MARKED “W-A” 
OR “W”. These cords are rated for outdoor use and 
reduce the risk of electric shock.
KEEP BLADES CLEAN, SHARP, AND WITH 
SUFFICIENT SET. Sharp blades minimize stalling 
and kickback.
KEEP HANDS AWAY FROM CUTTING AREA. Keep
hands away from blades. Do not reach underneath work
or around or over the blade while blade is rotating. Do not
attempt to remove cut material when blade is moving.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
