General Safety Information; Work Area; Electrical Safety; Personal Safety - RIDGID 300 Compact Operator's Manual

300 Compact Pipe and Bolt Threading Machine

General Safety Information

WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure
to follow all instructions listed below may
result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious
personal injury.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area

• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
• Do not operate tools in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of flammable liquids,
gases or dust. Tools create sparks which may ignite
the dust or fumes.
• Keep by-standers, children, and visitors away
while operating a tool. Distractions can cause you to
lose control.
• Keep floors dry and free of slippery materials
such as oil. Slippery floors invite accidents.
• Guard or barricade the area when work piece
extends beyond machine. A guard or barricade
that provides a minimum of three (3) feet clearance
around the work piece will reduce the risk of entan-
glement.

Electrical Safety

• Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet,
properly installed and grounded in accordance
with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the
grounding prong or modify the plug in any way.
Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a qual-
ified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether
the outlet is properly grounded. If the tools should
electrically malfunction or break down, grounding pro-
vides a low resistance path to carry electricity away
from the user.
Grounding prong
• Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces.
There is an increased risk of electrical shock if your
body is grounded.
• Do not expose electrical tools to rain or wet con-
ditions. Water entering a tool will increase the risk of
electrical shock.
2
Cover of
grounded
outlet box
Grounding prong
Ridge Tool Company
• Do not abuse cord. Never use the cord to pull the
plug from an outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil,
sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged
cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the
risk of electrical shock.
• When operating a tool outside, use an outdoor
extension cord marked "W-A" or "W". These cords
are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of elec-
trical shock.
• Use only three-wire extension cords which have
three-prong grounding plugs and three-pole recep-
tacles which accept the tool's plug. Use of other
extension cords will not ground the tool and increase
the risk of electrical shock.
• Use proper extension cords. (See chart.) Insufficient
conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop and
loss of power.
Minimum Wire Gauge for Extension Cord
Nameplate
Total Length (in feet)
Amps
0 – 25
0 – 6 18 AWG
6 – 10 18 AWG
10 – 12 16 AWG
12 – 16 14 AWG
• Keep all electric connections dry and off the
ground. Do not touch plugs or tool with wet hands.
Reduces the risk of electrical shock.

Personal Safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use com-
mon sense when operating a power tool. Do not
use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs,
alcohol, or medications. A moment of inattention
while operating power tools may result in serious per-
sonal injury.
• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or
jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing,
and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes,
jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
• Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is OFF
before plugging in. Plugging tools in that have the
switch ON invites accidents.
• Remove adjusting keys before turning the tool
ON. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating
part of the tool may result in personal injury.
• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal-
ance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables
better control of the tool in unexpected situations.
26 – 50 51 – 100
16 AWG 16 AWG
16 AWG 14 AWG
16 AWG 14 AWG
12 AWG
NOT RECOMMENDED