Shindaiwa 340s Instruction Manual page 9

340S
The components of this machine generate an electromagnetic field during operation, which may
interfere with some pacemakers. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury, persons with
pacemakers should consult with their physician and the pacemaker manufacturer before operating
this machine. In the absence of such information, ECHO does not recommend the use of this
machine by anyone who has a pacemaker.
Extended Operation / Extreme Conditions
Prolonged exposure to cold and/or vibration may result in injury. Read and follow all safety and
operation instructions to minimize risk of injury. Failure to follow instructions may result in painful
wrist/hand/arm injuries.
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud's Phenomenon, which affects the fingers of certain individuals,
may be brought about by exposure to vibration and cold. Exposure to vibration and cold may cause tingling
and burning sensations, followed by loss of color and numbness in the fingers. The following precautions are
strongly recommended, because the minimum exposure, which might trigger the ailment, is unknown.
• Keep your body warm, especially the head, neck, feet, ankles,
hands, and wrists.
• Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous arm
exercises during frequent work breaks, and also by not
smoking.
• Limit the hours of operation. Try to fill each day with jobs
where operating the unit or other hand-held power equipment
is not required.
• If you experience discomfort, redness, and swelling of the
fingers followed by whitening and loss of feeling, consult your physician before further exposing yourself to
cold and vibration.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
It is believed that overusing the muscles and tendons of the fingers,
hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling,
numbness, weakness, and extreme pain in those areas. Certain
repetitive hand activities may put you at a high risk for developing a
Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). An extreme RSI condition is Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), which could occur when your wrist swells
and squeezes a vital nerve that runs through the area. Some believe
that prolonged exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS. CTS
can cause severe pain for months or even years.
To reduce the risk of RSI/CTS, do the following:
• Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended, or twisted position.
Instead try to maintain a straight wrist position. Also, when
grasping, use your whole hand, not just the thumb and index finger.
• Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your hands.
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SAFETY
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