HEDGE TRIMMER SAFETY WARNINGS
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.
Before you connect the equipment to the mains supply make sure that the data on the rating plate are
identical to the mains data.
This tool is double insulated therefore no earth wire is required.
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:
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, instructions, illustrations and specifications
provided with this power tool.”
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 remove the battery pack, if detachable, 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 and accessories. 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.
• Keep all parts of the body away from the cutter blade.
Do not remove cut material or hold material to
be cut when blades are moving. Make sure the switch is off when clearing jammed material. A moment of
inattention while operating the hedge trimmer may result in serious personal injury.
• Carry the hedge trimmer by the handle with the cutter blade stopped.
When transporting or storing
the hedge trimmer always fit the cutting device cover. Proper handling of the hedge trimmer will reduce
possible personal injury from the cutter blades.
• Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only, because the cutter blade may contact
hidden wiring
.
Cutter blades contacting a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the power tool
“live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
• Keep the cable out of the cutting zone.
During operation the cable may be covered by hedges and cut
through by accident.
Please read this safety information and the directions for use carefully and be sure to follow the instructions to
the letter.
1. Always remove the power plug from the socket-outlet before you perform any work on the hedge trimmer,
e.g.
- repairing a damaged cable
- cleaning the blades
- troubleshooting
- cleaning and maintenance
or before leaving the tool unattended.
2. The hedge trimmer can cause serious injuries! Read the directions for use carefully in order to acquaint
yourself with the correct way to handle, set up, service, start and put down the machine. Familiarize yourself
with all the machine’s control elements and its proper use.
3. Always handle the hedge trimmer with both hands.
4. When working with the hedge trimmer, wear sturdy shoes and make sure of your footing.
5. Never work with the hedge trimmer in the rain or on wet hedges and never leave the hedge trimmer
outdoors. The hedge trimmer must not be used if it is wet.
6. We recommend that you wear safety goggles and ear-muff s when working with the hedge trimmer.
7. Wear suitable working clothes such as rubber gloves and non-slip shoes. Do not wear loose garments. Keep
long hair in a hairnet.
8. Avoid abnormal postures and make sure of your footing, particularly when working on ladders and steps.
9. Keep the equipment at a suitable distance from your body while working. Never attempt to remove cuttings
with the blade running or to hold material you want to cut. Always switch off the equipment before attempting
to remove any jammed cuttings. A single moment of carelessness when using the hedge trimmer can result
in serious injuries.
10. Make sure there are no other persons or animals within your working area (radius of swing).
11. Carry the hedge trimmer only by its guide handle.
12. Keep the cable out of the cutting zone. During operation the cable may be hidden in the hedge and be cut
through by accident.
13. Before you use the hedge trimmer, examine the power cable for signs of damage and aging.
14. Use the hedge trimmer only when the power cable is in good working order.
15. Do not remove the power plug from the socket-outlet by pulling on the cable. Never carry the tool by its
cable. Take care not to damage the cable in any way.
16. Protect cables from heat, caustic fluids and sharp edges. Replace damaged cables immediately.
17. Examine the cutting system regularly for signs of damage and, if necessary, arrange for the hedge trimmer
to be professionally repaired by the ISC Customer Service Center or a specialist workshop.
18. If the blades become jammed, e.g. due to thick branches or the like, switch off and unplug the hedge
trimmer immediately. Only then are you to remove the cause of the obstruction.
19. Keep the hedge trimmer in a dry place out of children’s reach.
20. During transportation and storage of the hedge trimmer, keep the blades covered at all times with the
special guard.
21. Take care not to overload the hedge trimmer and do not use it on jobs for which it is not intended, i.e. you
are allowed to use the hedge trimmer only to cut hedges, shrubs and perennials.
22. Use only cables and connectors approved for outdoor use:
- power cable HO7RN-F 2x1.0 with integral two-plug plug;
- extension cable HO7RN-F 3G1.5 with rain-water-protected earthing-pin plug and earthing-contact
coupling.
- The use of a leakage-current or earth leakage circuit-breaker is recommended for operating electric tools.
Ask your electrician!
23. The hedge trimmer requires regular inspection and maintenance. Always replace damaged blades in
pairs. If the hedge trimmer suffers any damage from impact (falling on hard ground etc.), have it checked
immediately by a specialist.
24. Look after your hedge trimmer carefully. Keep it clean and sharp to ensure efficient and safe cutting. Follow
the maintenance and cleaning instructions.
25. The German Farmers Union, for example, prohibits the use of electric hedge trimmers by persons aged 17
or less. Persons aged 16 and above may only use electric hedge trimmers if supervised by an adult.
26. Do not use the hedge trimmer with a damaged or excessively worn cutting system.
27. Check your surroundings and take note of any potential dangers which you may not be able hear due to the
machine’s noise.
28. Never try to work with an incomplete machine or a machine with unapproved modifications.
29. It is advisable not to use the hedge trimmer when other persons, and particularly children, are nearby.
30. Children are not allowed to use the hedge trimmer.
31. The machine may exceed 85 db (A) at the workplace. The operator will require noise protection measures
and ear muff s if this is the case.
32. Always ensure that all the handles and safety equipment is fitted when the hedge trimmer is in use.
33. Examine the hedge for any concealed objects, e.g. wire, before you start your work.
34. This equipment is not designed to be used by people (including children) with limited physical, sensory or
mental capacities or those with no experience and/or knowledge unless they are supervised by a person
who is responsible for their safety or they have received instructions from such a person in how to use the
equipment safely. Children must always be supervised in order to ensure that they do not play with the
equipment.
35. The equipment should be operated via a residual current protective device (RCD) with a trip current of no
more than 30 mA. Do not lose this safety information.
Do not lose this information.
