CHAIN SAW SAFETY WARNINGS
•
Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain when the
chain saw is operating. Before you start the chain saw, make
sure the saw chain is not contacting anything.
A moment of
inattention while operating chain saws may cause entanglement of
your clothing or body with the saw chain.
•
Always hold the chain saw with your right hand on the rear
handle and your left hand on the front handle.
Holding the
chain saw with a reversed hand configuration increases the risk of
personal injury and should never be done.
•
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 parts of the power
tool live
and could give the operator an 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.
•
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree.
Operation of a chain saw
while up in a tree may result in personal injury.
•
Always keep proper footing and operate the chain 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 chain 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 chain 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 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.
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