5
NORDIC
electric shock.
• Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Further protective equipment for head, hands, legs and feet is
recommended. Adequate protective clothing will reduce personal injury by flying debris or accidental contact with
the saw chain.
• Do not operate a chain saw in a tree. Operation of a chain saw while up in a tree may result in personal injury.
• Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw only when standing on fixed, secure and level surface.
Slippery or unstable surfaces such as ladders may cause a loss of balance or control of the chain saw.
• When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for spring back. When the tension in the wood fibers is released
the spring loaded limb may strike the operator and/or throw the chain saw out of control.
• Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings. The slender material may catch the saw chain and be
whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
• Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the chain saw switched off and away from your body. When
transporting or storing the chain saw always fit the guide bar cover. Proper handling of the chain saw will reduce the
likelihood of accidental contact with the moving saw chain.
• Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning and changing accessories. Improperly tensioned or lubricated
chain may either break or increase the chance for kickback.
• Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss of control.
• Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes not intended. For example: do not use chain saw for cutting
plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials. Use of the chain saw for operations different than intended could
result in a hazardous situation.
KICKBACK CAUSES AND RELATED WARNINGS
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object, or when the wood closes in
and pinches the saw chain in the cut.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards
the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back towards the
operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw which could result in serious personal
injury. Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a chain saw user, you should
take several steps to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
• Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles, with both hands on the saw and
position your body and arm to allow you to resist kickback forces. Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator,
if proper precautions are taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
