3
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 or its
own cord.
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 fibers 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 of 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 give 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.
f)
Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving
parts.
Loose clothes, jewelry 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.
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.
5) Service
a)
Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair person
using only identical replacement parts.
T
his will ensure that
the safety of the power tool is maintained.
