G
RASS
T
RIMMER
O
PERATOR
'
S
M
ANUAL
5
S
AFETY
I
NSTRUCTIONS
PERSONAL
CONDITION
AND
SAFETY
EQUIPMENT
WARNING
DANGER
Trimmer/Brush Cutter users risk injury to themselves and others if the trimmer/brush cutter is used improperly and or
safety precautions are not followed. Proper clothing and safety gear must be worn when operating a trimmer.
EXTENDED
OPERATION
/
EXTREME
CONDITIONS
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 exer-
cises during frequent work breaks and also by not smoking.
• Limit the hours of operation. Try to fill each day with jobs where
operating the trimmer 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 in which you
do the repetitive movement.
• Do exercises to strengthen the hand and
arm muscles.
• Immediately stop using all power equip-
ment 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 perma-
nent nerve and muscle damage can be
prevented.
Physical Condition
Your judgment and physical dexterity may not be good:
• if you are tired or sick,
• if you are taking medication,
• if you have taken alcohol or drugs.
Operate unit only if you are physically and mentally well.
Eye Protection
Wear eye protection that meets ANSI Z87.1 or CE
requirements whenever you operate the unit.
Hand Protection
Wear no-slip, heavy-duty work gloves to improve your
grip on the blower handle. Gloves also reduce the
transmission of machine vibration to your hands.
Hearing Protection
ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection whenever
unit is used.
Proper Clothing
Wear snug fitting, durable clothing;
• Pants should have long legs, shirts with long sleeves.
• DO NOT WEAR SHORTS,
• DO NOT WEAR TIES, SCARVES, and JEWELRY.
Wear sturdy work shoes with nonskid soles:
• DO NOT WEAR OPEN TOED SHOES,
• DO NOT OPERATE UNIT BAREFOOTED.
Keep long hair away from engine and blower intake. Retain
hair with cap or net.
Hot Humid Weather
Heavy protective clothing can increase operator fatigue,
which may lead to heat stroke. Schedule heavy work for
early morning or late afternoon hours when temperatures
are cooler.
