Safety Precautions - Makita EA3600F Owner's Manual

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Safety precautions for chain saw operators
While operating the chain saw please observe the following
rules:
a) Contact of the guide bar nose with any object should be avoided.
b) Tip contact may cause the guide bar to move suddenly upward
and backward, which may cause serious or fatal injury.
WARNING!
Read and follow all safety precautions in the operator's manual.
Failure to follow instructions could result in serious injury. It is
recommended to lend the chain saw only to people who are
experienced in working with chain saws. Always hand over the
Operator's and Safety Manual.
WARNING!
This chain saw is capable of severe kickback that could result
in serious injury to the operator. Do not operate this chain saw
unless you have extraordinary cutting needs and experience in
and special training for dealing with kickback.
Chain saws with significantly reduced kickback potential are
available.
Kickback safety precautions
WARNING!
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 lightning-fast
reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the
operator. Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar
may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator. 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.
a) With a basic understanding of kickback, you can reduce or
eliminate the element of surprise. Sudden surprise contributes to
accidents.
b) Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both hands, the right hand
on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle, when
the engine is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers
encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip will help reduce
kickback and maintain control of the saw. Don't let go.
c) Make sure that the area in which you are cutting is free from
obstructions. Do not let the nose of the guide bar contact a log,
branch, or any other obstruction that could be hit while you are
operating the saw.
d) Cut at high engine speeds.
e) Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
f) Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
g) Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer or the equivalent.
Additional safety precautions
The following additional safety precautions must be observed by all
users of chain saws:
- A chain saw is intended for two-handed use. Do not operate a
chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to the operator, helpers,
bystanders may result from one-handed operation.
- When a chain saw is being used, a fire extinguisher should be
available.
- 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 or fuel mixture.
- Do not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued. Fatigue causes
carelessness. Be more cautious before rest periods and towards
the end of your shift.
- 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
eyewear, safety footwear, and hand, leg, head and hearing
protection should be worn.
Note: Personal protective clothing should meet the requirements of
applicable CSA and BNQ Standards.
- Use caution when handling fuel. Before fuelling, servicing, or
transporting your chain saw, switch off the engine. To help prevent
fire, restart your chain saw at least 3 m (10 ft) from the fuelling
area.
- Keep other persons or animals a safe distance away from a
running chain saw or the area where a tree is being felled.
- Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw only when
standing on a fixed, secure, and level surface, and a planned
retreat path from the falling tree.
- Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the
engine is running.
- Before you start the engine, make sure that the saw chain is not
contacting anything.
- Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the engine stopped,
the guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from
your body.
- When transporting, storing or not in use, always use the
appropriate guide bar cover. It must fit and fully cover the guide bar
on the chain saw.
- 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.
- Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw down.
- Use extreme caution when cutting small-size brush and saplings
because slender material may catch the saw chain and be whipped
toward you or pull you off balance.
- When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for spring back
so that you will not be struck when the tension in the wood fibers is
released.
- When felling, keep at least two tree lengths away from other
persons or animals.
- Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Operate the chain saw in
well-ventilated areas only.
- Allow your chain saw to cool before refuelling, and do not smoke.
- Do not attempt a pruning or limbing operation in a standing tree
unless specifically trained to do so.
- All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the operator's
manuals maintenance instructions, should be performed by
competent chain saw service personnel. (For example, if improper
tools are used to remove the flywheel or if an improper tool is
used to hold the flywheel in order to remove the clutch, structural
damage to the flywheel could occur and subsequently could cause
the flywheel to burst.)
- This gas-powered saw is classified by CSA as a Class 1A saw. It
is 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.
- Hold the chain saw by the insulated gripping surface only, because
the saw chain may contact hidden electrical wiring.
General Safety Precautions
The use of any chain saw may be hazardous. At full throttle chain
speed can reach 45 mph (20 m/s). It is important that you read;
fully understand and observe the following safety precautions and
warnings.
Read the Owner's Manual and the safety instructions periodically.
Reactive forces, including kickback, can be dangerous. Careless
or improper use of any chain saw may cause serious or fatal
injury.
Have your MAKITA dealer show you how to operate your chain
saw. Observe all applicable local safety regulations, standards
and ordinances.
3
WARNING!