CHAIN SAW SAFETY WARNINGS
4
•
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 chain saw by the front handle with the
chain saw switched off and away from your body.
When transporting or storing the chain saw always
fit the guide bar cover.
Proper handling of the chain
saw will reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with
the moving saw chain.
•
Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning
and changing accessories.
Improperly tensioned or
lubricated chain may either break or increase the
chance for kickback.
•
Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease.
Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss
of control.
•
Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes
not intended. For example: do not use chain saw for
cutting plastic, masonry or non
-
wood building
materials.
Use of the chain saw for operations different
than intended could result in a hazardous situation.
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 chain 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 chain 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 chain saw.
•
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder
height.
This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chain saw in unexpected
situations.
•
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by
the manufacturer.
Incorrect replacement bars and
chains may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
•
Follow the manufacturer’s sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to increased
kickback.
WARNING: California Proposition 65:
This product
contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defect or other reproductive harm.
WARNING:
Some dust and debris created by the use of this
tool could contain chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Some examples of these chemicals are:
Chemicals in fertilizers
Compounds in insecticides, herbicides and
pesticides
Arsenic and chromium from chemically treated
lumber
Your risk from exposure to these chemicals varies,
depending on how often you do this type of work. To reduce
your exposure, work in a well
-
ventilated area and with
approved safety equipment, such as dust masks that are
specially designed to filter out microscopic particles.
WARNING:
Reproductive Harm
-
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
