Makita DUC303 Instruction Manual page 10

Cordless Chain saw safety warnings
1. Keep all parts of the body away from the saw
chain when the chain saw is operating. Before
you start the chain saw, make sure the saw
chain is not contacting anything. A moment of
inattention while operating chain saws may cause
entanglement of your clothing or body with the
saw chain.
2. Always hold the chain saw with your right
hand on the rear handle and your left hand on
the front handle. Holding the chain saw with a
reversed hand configuration increases the risk of
personal injury and should never be done.
3. Hold the power tool by insulated gripping
surfaces only, because the saw chain may con-
tact hidden wiring. Saw chains contacting a "live"
wire may make exposed metal parts of the power
tool "live" and could give the operator an electric
shock.
Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
4.
Further protective equipment for head, hands,
legs and feet is recommended. Adequate protec-
tive clothing will reduce personal injury by flying
debris or accidental contact with the saw chain.
5. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree. Operation
of a chain saw while up in a tree may result in
personal injury.
6. Always keep proper footing and operate the
chain saw only when standing on fixed, secure
and level surface. Slippery or unstable surfaces
such as ladders may cause a loss of balance or
control of the chain saw.
7. When cutting a limb that is under tension be
alert for spring back. When the tension in the
wood fibres is released the spring loaded limb may
strike the operator and/or throw the chain saw out
of control.
8. Use extreme caution when cutting brush and
saplings. The slender material may catch the saw
chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off
balance.
9. Carry the chain saw by the front handle with
the chain saw switched off and away from your
body. When transporting or storing the chain
saw always fit the guide bar cover. Proper
handling of the chain saw will reduce the likelihood
of accidental contact with the moving saw chain.
10. Follow instructions for lubricating, chain ten-
sioning and changing accessories. Improperly
tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or
increase the chance for kickback.
11. Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing
loss of control.
12. Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for pur-
poses not intended. For example: do not use
chain saw for cutting plastic, masonry or non-
wood building materials. Use of the chain saw
for operations different than intended could result
in a hazardous situation.
13. 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 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.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incor-
rect operating procedures or conditions and can be
avoided by taking proper precautions as given below:
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and
•
fingers encircling 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 con-
trolled by the operator, if proper precautions
are taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
► Fig.1
• Do not overreach and do not cut above
shoulder height. This helps prevent unin-
tended tip contact and enables better control
of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
• Only use replacement bars and chains
specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect
replacement bars and chains may cause
chain breakage and/or kickback.
• Follow the manufacturer's sharpening
and maintenance instructions for the saw
chain. Decreasing the depth gauge height
can lead to increased kickback.
14. Before starting work, check that the chain
saw is in proper working order and that its
condition complies with the safety regulations.
Check in particular that:
• The chain brake is working properly;
• The run-down brake is working properly;
• The bar and the sprocket cover are fitted
correctly;
• The chain has been sharpened and ten-
sioned in accordance with the regulations.
15. Do not start the chain saw with the chain cover
being installed on it. Starting the chain saw with
the chain cover being installed on it may cause
the chain cover to thrown out forward resulting in
personal injury and damage to objects around the
operator.
16. Avoid dangerous environment. Don't use the
tool in damp or wet locations or expose it to
rain. Water entering the tool will increase the
risk of electric shock.
17. Do not dispose of the battery(ies) in a fire. The
cell may explode. Check with local codes for
possible special disposal instructions.
18. Do not open or mutilate the battery(ies).
Released electrolyte is corrosive and may
cause damage to the eyes or skin. It may be
toxic if swallowed.
19. Do not charge battery in rain, or in wet
locations.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
10 ENGLISH