GENERAL POWER TOOL SAFETY WARNINGS
WARNING!
Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the
warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference. The term “power tool” in the warnings
refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool.
1. Work area safety
a. Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
b. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
c. Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you
to lose control.
2. Electrical safety
a. Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any
adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will
reduce risk of electric shock.
b. Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
c. Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase
the risk of electric shock.
d. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords
increase the risk of electric shock.
e. When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use
of a cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
3. Personal safety
a. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool.
Do not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or
medication. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal
injury.
b. Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such
as dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate
conditions will reduce personal injuries.
c. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to
power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with
your finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
d. Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key
left attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
e. Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control
of the power tool in unexpected situations.
f. Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves
away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
g. If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure
these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection can reduce dust-related hazards.
h. Do not let familiarity gained from frequent use of tools allow you to become complacent and
ignore tool safety principles. A careless action can cause severe injury within a fraction of a
second.
4. Power tool use and care
a. Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct
power tool will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was designed.
b. Do not use the power tool if the switch does not turn it on and off. Any power tool that cannot
be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired.
c. Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or the battery pack from the power tool before
making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing power tools. Such preventive safety
measures reduce the risk of starting the power tool accidentally.
d. Store idle power tools out of the reach of children and do not allow persons unfamiliar with
the power tool or these instructions to operate the power tool. Power tools are dangerous in the
hands of untrained users.
e. Maintain power tools. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts
and any other condition that may affect the power tool’s operation. If damaged, have the power
tool repaired before use. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained power tools.
f. Keep cutting tools sharp and clean. Properly maintained cutting tools with sharp cutting edges
are less likely to bind and are easier to control.
g. Use the power tool, accessories and tool bits etc. in accordance with these instructions, taking
into account the working conditions and the work to be performed. Use of the power tool for
operations different from those intended could result in a hazardous situation.
h. Keep handles and grasping surfaces dry, clean and free from oil and grease. Slippery handles
and grasping surfaces do not allow for safe handling and control of the tool in unexpected
situations.
5. Service
a. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person using only identical replacement
parts. This will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained
