PRUNING SAW 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.
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 charger has been designed for 230V and 240V only. Always check that the power supply corresponds to
the voltage on the rating plate.
Note: The supply of 230V and 240V is interchangeable for Australia and New Zealand.
This tools charger is double insulated in accordance with AS/NZS 60745-1; therefore no earth wire
is required.
The power supply for this products charger should be protected by a residual current device (rated at 30mA or
less). A residual current device reduces the risk of electric shock.
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.
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.
5. Battery tool use and care
a.
Recharge only with the charger specified by the manufacturer.
A charger that is suitable for one
type of battery pack may create a risk of fire when used with another battery pack.
b.
Use power tools only with specifically designated battery packs.
Use of any other battery packs may
create a risk of injury and fire.
c.
When battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects, like paper clips, coins,
keys, nails, screws or other small metal objects, that can make a connection from one terminal to
another.
Shorting the battery terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
d.
Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid contact. If contact
accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts eyes, additionally seek medical help.
Liquid
ejected from the battery may cause irritation or burns.
6. 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.
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.
Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
•
Keep all parts of the body away from the saw blade when the saw is operating. Before you start
the pruning saw, make sure the saw blade is not contacting anything.
A moment of inattention while
operating saws may cause entanglement of your clothing or body with the saw blade.
•
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 blade.
•
Do not operate a pruning saw in a tree.
Operation of a pruning saw while up in a tree may result in
personal injury.
•
Always keep proper footing and operate the pruning 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 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 pruning saw out of
control.
•
Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings.
The slender material may catch the saw
blade and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
•
Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.
Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss
of control.
Kickback
Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the blade touches an object, or when the wood closes in and
pinches the saw blade in the cut.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse reaction, kicking the blade up and back towards the
operator.
Pinching the saw blade along the top of the guide bar may push the saw 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 pruner 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 pruning 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 pruning saw.
•
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height. This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the pruning saw in unexpected situations.
•
Only use replacement blades specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect blades may cause blade breakage
and/or kickback.
