GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
PLANTING & DIGGING TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
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 charger to the mains supply make sure that the data on the rating plate are identical to the mains data.
If the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by an electrician or a power tool repairer in order to avoid a hazard.
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.
WARNING!
This appliance is not intended for use by young or infirm persons unless supervised by a
responsible person to ensure that they can use the appliance safely. Young children should be supervised to ensure
that they do not play with the appliance.
WARNING!
If the product is dropped, suffers heavy impact, or begins to vibrate abnormally, immediately stop
the product and inspect for damage or identify the cause of the vibration. Any damage should be properly repaired
or replaced by an authorised service centre.
WARNING!
Maintain a firm grip on the handles with both hands while using the auger. Keep the auger bit
away from your body and below waist level.
WARNING!
Always wear substantial closed nonslip footwear, safety eye wear, nonslip heavy-duty protective
gloves and long trousers
•
Replace soil auger if it is cracked, bent, or damaged in any way. Be sure the soil auger is properly installed and securely
fastened. Failure to do so can cause serious injury.
•
Make sure the handles are properly and securely attached.
•
Consider the environment in which you are working. Keep the working area free from electric cables or underground
utilities.
•
Use only the manufacturer’s replacement soil augers. Do not use any other attachment.
•
Replace the soil auger immediately if there are any cracks or any damage.
•
Do not touch the soil auger when the product is switched on.
•
If the soil auger bit jams, stop the product immediately.
•
Maintain a firm grip on both handles during operation.
•
Do not use the product with the handle above waist level to avoid serious chest injuries when the product hits a hard
object.
•
Always keep the handles dry and clean.
•
Ensure all handles are properly fitted and are in good condition.
• Do not start using the product until you have a clear work area and secure footing.
•
Brace the tool properly before use. This tool produces a high torque and without properly bracing the tool during operation,
loss of control may occur resulting in personal injury.
•
Wear ear protectors. Exposure to noise can cause hearing loss.
•
Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces, when performing an operation where the cutting accessory may
contact hidden wiring or its own cord. Cutting accessory contacting a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the
power tool “live” and could give the operator an electric shock.
•
Wear safety goggles or other eye protection. Drilling operations cause chips to fly. Flying particles can cause permanent
eye damage.
•
Apply pressure only in direct line with the bit and do not apply excessive pressure. Bits can bend causing breakage or loss
of control, resulting in personal injury.
•
Take frequent work breaks. Limit the exposure time per day.
•
Inspect the area to ensure that there is no underground electric cable, gas and water pipes before operation.
•
Contact the local council for information on underground cables, powerlines, plumbing, etc. Some regions may have
regulations that restrict the use of the product.
•
Never operate at higher speed than the maximum speed rating of the drill bit. At higher speeds, the bit is likely to bend if
allowed to rotate freely without contacting the workpiece, resulting in personal injury.
•
Do not modify the product in any way or use it to power any attachments or devices not recommended by the manufacturer.
•
Before starting the product, make sure the bit is not contacting any object.
•
Do not use the product when there is a possibility of thunderstorm or lightning. Store the product safely indoors.
•
Turn off the product and remove the battery pack. Make sure all moving parts have come to a complete stop:
–
before servicing.
–
before leaving the product unattended.
–
before clearing a blockage.
–
before checking, cleaning, and working on the product.
–
before changing accessories.
–
after striking a foreign object.
–
whenever performing maintenance.
–
whenever the product starts to vibrate.
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.
e.
Do not use a battery pack or tool that is damaged or modified.
Damaged or modified
batteries may exhibit unpredictable behaviour resulting in fire, explosion or risk of injury.
f.
Do not expose a battery pack or tool to fire or excessive temperature.
Exposure to fire or
temperature above 130 °C may cause explosion.
g.
Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or tool outside
the temperature range specified in the instructions.
Charging improperly or at temperatures
outside the specified range may damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.
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.
Never service damaged battery packs.
Service of battery packs should only be performed by the
manufacturer or authorized service provider.
