Shindaiwa T242X, Owner'S/Operator'S Manual

Page: 6 / 36

6 T242X Trimmer
Safety Instructions
Vibration and Cold
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which
affects the fingers of certain individuals, may be brought about by
exposure to vibration and cold. Exposure to vibration and cold may
cause tingling and burning sensations, followed by loss of color and
numbness in the fingers. The following precautions are strongly
recommended because the minimum exposure, which might trigger
the ailment, is unknown.
• Keep your body warm, especially the head, neck, feet, ankles,
hands, and wrists.
• Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous arm
exercises during frequent work breaks, and also by not smoking.
• Limit the hours of operation. Try to fill each day with jobs where
operating the unit or other hand-held power equipment is not
required.
• If you experience discomfort, redness, and swelling of the fingers followed by whitening and loss of
feeling, consult your physician before further exposing yourself to cold and vibration.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
It is believed that overusing the muscles and tendons of the fingers,
hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness,
weakness, and extreme pain in those areas. Certain repetitive hand
activities may put you at a high risk for developing a Repetitive Stress
Injury (RSI). An extreme RSI condition is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(CTS), which could occur when your wrist swells and squeezes a
vital nerve that runs through the area. Some believe that prolonged
exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS. CTS can cause severe
pain for months or even years.
To reduce the risk of RSI/CTS, do the following:
• Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended, or twisted position. Instead try to maintain a straight wrist
position. Also, when grasping, use your whole hand, not just the thumb and index finger.
• Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your hands.
• Reduce the speed and force with which you do the repetitive movement.
• Do exercise to strengthen the hand and arm muscles.
• Immediately stop using all power equipment and consult a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness,
or pain in the fingers, hands, wrists, or arms. The sooner RSI/CTS is diagnosed, the more likely
permanent nerve and muscle damage can be prevented.
Avoid Hot Surfaces
Keep exhaust area clear of flammable
debris. Avoid contact during and
immediately after operation.
WARNING!
During operation the muffler or catalytic muffler and surrounding cover become hot. Always keep
exhaust area clear of flammable debris during transportation or when storing, otherwise serious property
damage or personal injury may result.