What safety measure is essential before using a rotary saw?

Having a portable fire extinguisher close at hand is an essential safety measure before using a rotary saw because these tools can generate sparks and heat during operation, increasing the risk of fire, particularly when cutting through materials that may be flammable. Ensuring that a fire extinguisher is readily available can be crucial in quickly addressing any fire that might start, thus preventing a small incident from escalating into a dangerous situation.

While the other options may also represent important safety considerations in various contexts, they do not address the immediate risks associated with rotary saw operations. For example, having a first aid kit is important, but it is more of a reactive measure rather than a proactive safety setup. Wearing special vision protection glasses is critical for eye safety, especially with flying debris; however, it does not mitigate fire hazards directly linked to the operation of the saw. Ensuring proper cooling systems are functioning is relevant to specific industrial applications where overheating might be a concern, but it is not universally applicable to the general use of rotary saws in various scenarios. Thus, the focus on having a portable fire extinguisher highlights proactive risk management specifically tailored for the safe operation of rotary saws.