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A portable table saw is by design a lighter version of table saw. This is great for portability, but with portability comes the need to take some special safety precautions to keep you safe:

1. Don’t use a portable table saw for things it is not designed to do. For some reason, people who buy the portable version of table saw seem to be more inclined to try to use it for everything from sanding to cutting masonry. This may be because an inclination towards economising is inherent in those people who buy portables, which are at the lower end of the price range for table saws. I have just read on Yahoo about someone who lost two knuckles.
2. Don’t use a table saw to cut masonry or tiles. You need a water feed to stop the abrasive dust (this also keeps the tiles cool to stop them cracking).
3. Don’t use a portable saw to cut pieces of wood that are too large for the portable’s table. You will over-balance the whole thing and who knows what damage you could do.
4. Noise: a portable table saw is likely to be even noisier than a more heavy duty model, as the motor is quite likely to be smaller and higher-pitched. Always wear ear protectors or you will regret it later in life when you can’t hear the grandchildren.
5. Always make sure the portable table saw’s legs are on firm, level ground. That means no soft grass, no gravel, no balancing one leg on a brick and so on.
6. Always use safety glasses when using your portable table saw, and yes, I know it’s a pain. But not as much of a pain as going to the hospital to get stuff dug out of your eyes.
7. Use a push stick. PLEASE never get your fingers anywhere near that blade. Use a push stick to feed in your wood.
8. Go slowly; let the blade do its work in its own time. Not only is this safer, but you will get a better cut. With the 10 inch blade you find on many portables this is especially important as the blade can only take so much pressure.
9. Kickback: make sure that your blade is parallel to the fence and check this regularly. A fence out of line can push the back of the blade into the side of the cut stock as it leaves the blade and throw it upwards. Also always keep the stock flat against the fence.
10. Do not use your saw under the influence of alcohol or any medication that affects your ability to operate it.

These saws are amazingly useful gadgets, but they are not toys. Please do yourself a favor, follow the above tips, and stay safe.