Echo SRM-22GES Operator's Manual page 8

Do not operate one-handed
Painful or numb
fingers?
See your doctor
immediatelty!
SRM-22GES
Always use both hands on the handles. Do not operate
one-handed.
Always hold the unit with the fingers and thumbs encircling
the handles.
VIBRATION AND COLD
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud's Phenom-
enon 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,
followed by loss of colour 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 and neck,
feet and ankles, and hands and wrists.
• Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous
arm exercises during frequent work breaks, and also by
not smoking.
• Limit the number of hours of operation. Try to fill each day
with jobs where operating the trimmer 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 exposing yourself further to cold
and vibration.
REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES
It is believed that over-using the muscles and tendons of
the fingers, hands, arms and shoulders may cause
soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness and extreme
pain to the areas just mentioned. Certain repetitive hand
activities may put you at a high risk for developing a
repetitive stress injury (RSI).
To reduce the risk of RSI, do the following:
• Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended or twisted
position.
• Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your
hands. Reduce the speed and force in which you do the
repetitive movement.
• Do exercises to strengthen hand and arm muscles.
• See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in your
fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI is
diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve and muscle
damage can be prevented.
8