Echo CS 2400 Operating Instructions Manual page 21

7) Chain saw safety warnings:
• Keep all parts of your body clear of the chain
while the saw is running. Before starting the saw,
make sure that the chain does not touch any ob-
jects. When working with a chainsaw, even a short
moment of inattentiveness may result in clothes or
parts of the body being caught by the chain.
• Always hold the chainsaw with your right hand
at the rear handle and your left hand at the front
handle. Holding the chainsaw differently (left hand
– rear handle / right hand – front handle) during
operation will increase the risk of injury and is not
permitted.
• Hold the electric equipment by its insulated
handle surfaces, as the chainsaw can come into
contact with its own mains power cable. If the
chainsaw comes into contact with a live cable, it can
energise metal parts of the equipment and cause an
electric shock.
• Wear eye and hearing protection. Other personal
protection equipment for the head, hands, legs
and feet is recommended. Proper protective cloth-
ing and protection equipment reduce the risk of injury
caused by thrown-about wood chips and accidental
contact with the chain.
• Do not operate the chainsaw on trees. Operating
a chainsaw while situated on a tree involves a high
risk of injury.
• Make sure to have a safe stand at any time, and
only use the chainsaw when standing on solid,
safe and level ground. A slippery ground or instable
surfaces as the steps of a ladder may lead to loosing
balance or the control over the chainsaw.
• When cutting a branch that is under tension take
into account that it will spring back. When the
tension of the wood fibres is released the tensioned
branch may hit the operator and/or the chainsaw
resulting in a loss of control.
• Apply particular caution when cutting brush and
young trees. The thin material may get caught in the
chain and hit you or throw you off balance.
• Carry the switched-off chainsaw using the front
handle with the chain pointing away from your
body. Always put on the protection cover when
transporting or storing the chainsaw. The careful
handling of the chainsaw reduces the risk of acciden-
tally touching the sharp cutting chain.
• Follow the instructions for lubrication, chain
tension and changing accessories. An improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or
considerably increase the risk of a kickback.
• Keep the handles dry, clean and free from oil and
grease. Fatty, oily handles are slippery and may lead
to a loss of control.
• Use the chainsaw for cutting wood only! Do not
use the chainsaw for works it is not designed
for. – Example: Do not use the chainsaw for cut-
ting plastics, brickwork or other construction
materials that are not made of wood. The use of
the chainsaw for applications, for which it is not de-
signed, may result in dangerous situations.
8) 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 opera-
tor.
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 given below:
• Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers en-
circling 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 unex-
pected situations.
• Only use replacement bars and chains speci-
fied by the manufacturer. Incorrect replacement
bars and chains may cause chain breakage and/or
kickback.
• Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and main-
tenance instructions for the saw chain. Decreas-
ing the depth gauge height can lead to increased
kickback.
• Set the loop so that it is not detected during op-
eration of branches or the like.
9) Important instructions for your personal safety
a) General safety instructions
1. Never attempt to use an incomplete machine or one
which an unauthorised alteration has been imple-
mented.
2. These devices are not designed to be operated by
persons who have insufficient experience and/or
insufficient knowledge or by persons with impaired
physical, sensory or mental capabilities, unless they
are being supervised by a person who is responsible
for their safety or they are receiving instructions
about how these devices are to be used.
3. Children and young persons under 18 may not
operate electrical chainsaws, with the exception of
apprentices older than 16 under the supervision of
a trained adult.
4. The chainsaw may only be used by persons who
have sufficient experience.
5. Always keep these Operating Instructions together
with the chainsaw.
6. Only lend or give this chainsaw to persons who are
familiar with its use. Also give them these Operating
Instructions.
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