GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
WARNING!
When using mains-powered tools, basic safety precautions, including the following,
should always be followed to reduce risk of fire, electric shock, personal injury and material damage.
Read the whole manual carefully and make sure you know how to switch the tool off in an emergency, before
operating the tool.
Save these instructions and other documents supplied with this tool for future reference.
The manufacturer cannot accept any liability for damage or accidents which arise due to a failure to follow these
instructions and the safety information.
This product has been designed for 230V and 240V only. Always check that the power supply corresponds to the voltage
on the rating plate.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by an electrician or a power tool repairer in order to avoid a hazard.
Note:
The supply of 230V and 240V is interchangeable for Australia and New Zealand. This tool is double
insulated in accordance with AS/NZS 62841-1; therefore no earth wire is required.
The power supply for this product should be protected by a residual current device (rated at 30mA or less). A residual
current device reduces the risk of electric shock.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by an electrician or a power tool repairer in order to avoid a hazard.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental
capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use
of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
Note:
Double insulation does not take the place of normal safety precautions when operating this tool. The insulation
system is for added protection against injury resulting from a possible electrical insulation failure within the tool.
Using an Extension Lead
Always use an approved extension lead suitable for the power input of this tool. Before use, inspect the extension lead
for signs of damage, wear and ageing. Replace the extension lead if damaged or defective. When using an extension
lead on a reel, always unwind the lead completely. Use of an extension lead not suitable for the power input of the tool or
which is damaged or defective may result in a risk of fire and electric shock.
WARNING!
Read all safety warnings and all instructions.
Failure to follow the warnings and
instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless)
power tool.
1. Work area safety
a.
Keep work area clean and well lit
. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
b.
Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids,
gases or dust.
Power tools create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
c.
Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool.
Distractions can cause you to lose control.
2. Electrical safety
a.
Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way.
Do not use any adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools.
Unmodified plugs and matching outlets
will reduce risk of electric shock.
b.
Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators.
There is an increased risk of electric shock
if your body is earthed or grounded.
c.
Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions.
Water entering a power tool will increase the risk of
electric shock.
d.
Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool. Keep cord
away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts.
Damaged or entangled cords increase the risk of electric
shock.
e.
When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable
for outdoor use.
Use of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
f.
If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device (RCD)
protected supply.
Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.
3. Personal safety
a.
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use
a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication.
A moment of
inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
b.
Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Protective equipment such as dust mask,
non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will reduce personal injuries.
c.
Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to power
source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool.
Carrying power tools with your finger on the
switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
d.
Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on.
A wrench or a key left attached to a
rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
e.
Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
This enables better control of the power tool
in unexpected situations.
f.
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from
moving parts.
Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
g.
If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure these are
connected and properly used.
Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
h.
Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and ignore tool
safety principles.
A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a second.
4. Power tool use and care
a.
Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application.
The correct power tool will do
the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
b.
Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off.
Any power tool that cannot be controlled
with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
c.
Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before making
any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools.
Such preventive safety measures reduce the
risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
d.
Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the power
tool or these instructions to operate the power tool.
Power tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained
users.
e.
Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts and any
other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power tool repaired
before use.
Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
f.
Keep cutting tools sharp and clean.
Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges are less likely to
bind and are easier to control.
g.
Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking into
account the working conditions and the work to be performed.
Use of the power tool for operations different
from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
h.
Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease.
Slippery handles and grasping
surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected situations.
5. Service
a.
Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement parts.
This
will ensure that the safety of the power tool
is maintained.
b.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer,
its service agent or similarly
qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
• Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain when the chain saw is operating. Before you
start the chain saw, make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything.
A moment of inattention while
operating chain saws may cause entanglement of your clothing or body with the saw chain.
•
Always hold the chain saw with your right hand on the rear handle and your left hand
on the front handle.
Holding the chain saw with a reversed hand configuration increases the risk of personal
injury and should never be done.
•
Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only, because the saw chain may contact hidden
wiring or its own cord.
Saw chains contacting as a “live“ wire may make exposed metal parts of the tool “live”
and could give the operator an electric shock.
• Wear eye protection. Further protective equipment for hearing, head, hands, legs and feet is
recommended.
Adequate protective equipment will reduce personal injury from flying debris or accidental
contact with the saw chain.
•
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder, from a rooftop, or any unstable support.
Operation of
a chain saw in this manner could result in serious 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 fibres 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 the bar and chain.
Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or increase the chance for kickback.
• 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.
• Do not attempt to fell a tree until you have an understanding of the risks and how to avoid them.
Serious injury could occur to the operator or bystanders while felling a tree. Felling a tree will require a larger work
area. Ensure the work area is adequate while felling a tree.
Causes and operator prevention of kickback
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.
•
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height.
This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
•
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the manufacturer.
Incorrect replacement bars and
chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
•
Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the
depth gauge height can lead to increased kickback.
ADDITIONAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHAINSAWS
