General Safety Precautions For Chain Saw Users; More About Kickback - McCulloch MS4016PAVCC, MS4018PAVCC User Manual

NOTE: These safety precautions are intended primarily for
the consumer or occasional user. When using a chain saw
for logging purposes, refer to the Code of Federal
Regulations, Section 1910.226(5); 2.5.1., of American
National Standard Safety Requirements for Pulpwood
Logging, ANSI 03.1-1978; and relevant state safety codes.
These models are classified according to CAN/ CSA-
Z62.1-03 as a Class 1A saw. They are intended for infre-
quent use by homeowners, cottagers, and campers, and
for such general applications as clearing, pruning, cutting
firewood, etc. They are not intended for prolonged use. If
the intended use involves prolonged periods of operation,
this may cause circulatory problems in the user's hands
due to vibration. All models covered in this manual employ
an anti-vibration feature for increased comfort and safety.
2-3. GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
FOR CHAIN SAW USERS
1. Fatigue causes carelessness. Be more cautious
before rest periods and towards the end of your shift.
2. Personal protective clothing required by your safety
organizations, government regulations, or your
employer should be used. At all times when using a
chain saw, snug-fitting clothing, protective eye wear,
safety footwear, and hand, leg, and hearing protection
should be worn.
3. Before fuelling, servicing, or transporting your chain
saw, switch off the engine. To help prevent fire, restart
your chain saw at least 9.1m (30ft) from the fuelling
area.
4. When a chain saw is being used, a fire extinguisher
should be available.
5. When felling, keep at least 2 tree lengths away from
your fellow workers.
6. Plan your work, ensuring an obstacle-free work area
and, in the case of felling, at least one escape path
from the falling tree.
7. Follow the instructions in your operator's manual for
starting the chain saw and control the chain saw with
a firm grip on both handles when it is in operation.
Keep handles dry, clean, and free of oil.
8. When transporting your chain saw, use the appropri-
ate transportation covers, which should be available
for the guide bar and saw chain.
9. Never operate a chain saw that is damaged or
improperly adjusted or that is not completely and
securely assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops
moving when the power control system trigger is
released. Never adjust the guide bar or saw chain
when the engine is operating.
10. Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Operate the
chain saw in well-ventilated areas only.
11. Do not attempt a pruning or limbing operation in a
standing tree unless specifically trained to do so.
12. Guard against kickback. Kickback is the upward
motion of the guide bar that occurs when the saw
chain, at the nose of the guide bar, contacts an object.
Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of the
2 - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
chain saw.
13. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use. Serious
injury to the operator, helpers, and/or bystanders can
result from one-handed operation.
14. See section 2-5, 2-6 for symbol definitions, page 5.
15. When carrying a chain saw with the engine running,
engage the chain brake.
16. Allow your chain saw to cool before refuelling, and do
not smoke.
17. Keep other persons or animals a safe distance away
from a running chain saw or the area where a tree is
being felled.
18. Use extreme caution when cutting small brush and
saplings because slender material can catch the saw
chain and be whipped toward you.
19. When cutting a limb that is under tension or compres-
sion, be alert for springback.
20. This gas-powered saw is classified according to CAN/
CSA-Z62.1-03 as a Class 1A saw - a professional
chain saw, intended for use by trained workers, where
the operator is expected to use the chain saw for
extended periods of time on a daily basis.

2-4. MORE ABOUT KICKBACK

WARNING
DANGER! BEWARE OF KICKBACK!
Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of the chain
saw and result in serious or fatal injury to the saw operator
or to anyone standing close by. Always be alert. Rotational
kickback and pinch-kickback are major chain saw opera-
tional dangers and the leading cause of most accidents.
BEWARE OF:
ROTATIONAL KICKBACK (Figure 2-4A)
A = Kickback path
B = Kickback reaction zone
A
A
B
A
2-4A
4