Hi, Dan et. al.,

I don't have experience with accidents due to Makita's lock-on switch (although I agree it's a bed idea,) but I can caution you about another potentailly hazardous situation you can get into: because those saws have fairly flimsy lower blade guards that tend to stick, it is very tempting, if not unavoidable, to hold the guard up when starting a cut. If and when you do that, be aware that you have up to 6 1/8" of spinning sawblade dangerously close to the dangling cord. It is very easy to cut the cord. Running it over your right elbow helps keep it out of the way. By the way, in my opinion the Makita 13" saw is a much better tool in all aspects except depth of cut.