3
Safety Instructions for
Pruning Saws
General Pruning Saw Safety Warnings
• Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain
when the pruning saw is operating. Before you start
the pruning saw, make sure the saw chain is not
contacting anything. A moment of inattention while
operating the pruning saw may cause entanglement of
your clothing or body with the saw chain.
• Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces
only, because the saw chain may contact hidden
wiring. Saw chains contacting a "live" wire may make
exposed metal part of the power tool "live" and give the
operator a electric shock.
•
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 chain.
•
Always keep proper footing and operate the pruning
saw only when standing on a fixed, secured 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 cautious
of spring back. When the tension in the wood fibers 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 chain and be
whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
• Carry the saw by the handle with the saw switched
off and away from your body. When transporting or
storing the saw, always fit the guide bar cover.
Proper
handling of the saw will reduce the likelihood of accidental
contact with the moving saw chain.
• Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning
and changing accessories. An improperly tensioned or
poorly lubricated chain may either break or increase the
chance for kickback.
•
Cut wood only. Do not use the pruning saw for any
other purpose. For example, do not use the pruning
saw to cut plastic, masonry or non-wood building
materials. Using the pruning saw in these incorrect ways
could result in serious damage to you and your tool.
• Keep guards in place. Protective guards should be
checked periodically to ensure they are properly fitted and
in correct working order.
• Do not grasp the exposed cutting blade or cutting edges
when picking up or holding the saw. Be sure to encase the
cutting bar in its protective sheath when not in use.
•
This saw is not intended for tree felling. Use of the
saw for operations different than intended could result in
serious injury to the operator or bystanders.
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
pruning 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 thumb and fingers encircling
the saw handle and position your body and arm to
allow you to resist kick-back forces. Kick-back forces
can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions
are taken. Do not let go of the saw.
• Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder
height. This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the unit in unexpected situations.
• Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer. Incorrect replacement of bars and chains
may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
• Never use a dull or loose chain. Keep the chain sharp and
properly tensioned.
• 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 Pruning Saw
• The pruning saw is designed for cutting branches. Only
use the pruning saw as indicated in this manual for
cutting wood. The machine has not been designed for
continuous, professional use.
• Keep the pruning saw out of reach of children. It is not a
toy.
• Persons with limited physical, sensorial or mental abilities
are not allowed to use the pruning saw, unless they
are supervised for their safety by a qualified person or
are briefed by the responsible person how to use the
machine.
• Children and adolescents are not allowed to use the
pruning saw. Excluded from this prohibition are young
people over 16 years of age under the supervision of an
expert for the purpose of training.
