4
SAFETY
Be Aware of the Working Environment
Avoid long-term
operation in very hot or
very cold weather.
Make sure bystanders
or observers outside the
50-foot “danger zone”
wear eye protection.
Be extremely careful of
slippery terrain, especially
during rainy weather.
Always
make sure
the appropriate cutting
attachment shield is
correctly installed.
If contact is made with a hard
object, stop the engine and
inspect the cutting attachment
for damage.
Be constantly alert for objects and debris
that could be thrown either from the
rotating cutting attachment or bounced
from a hard surface.
Reduce the risk of bystanders
being struck by fl ying debris. Make
sure no one is within 50 feet (15
meters)—that’s about 16 paces—of
an operating attachment.
Beware of a coasting blade when
brushcutting or edging. A coasting blade can
injure while it continues to spin after
the throttle trigger is released or after the
engine is stopped.
Figure 2
50
FEET
ALWAYS
clear your work area of trash or
hidden debris that could be thrown back at
you or toward a bystander. When operating in
rocky terrain or near electric wires or fences,
use extreme caution to avoid contacting such
items with the cutting attachment.
The Properly Equipped Operator
Always
wear a harness when operating
a unit equipped with a blade.
Always
operate with both hands
fi rmly gripping the unit.
Wear close-fi tting clothing to protect legs and arms.
Gloves offer added protection and are strongly
recommended. Do not wear clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in machinery or
underbrush. Secure long hair so that it
is above shoulder level. NEVER wear shorts!
Wear hearing protection devices and a
broad-brimmed hat or helmet.
Always
wear eye protection such as
goggles or safety glasses to shield
against thrown objects.
When operating with a blade, make
sure the handle is positioned to provide you with
maximum protection from contacting the blade.
Keep away from the rotating
trimmer line or blade at all
times, and never lift a moving
attachment above waist-high.
Wear appropriate footwear
(non-skid boots or shoes): do not
wear open-toed shoes or sandals.
Never work barefooted!
Keep a proper footing and
do not
overreach
. Maintain your balance at
all times during operation.
Always
make sure the appropriate cutting
attachment shield is correctly installed and in
good condition.
Figure 1
