Safety; General Safety Rules - Honda HP311 User Manual

SAFETY

General Safety Rules

Understand your machine
Read and understand the operator's manual and labels affixed to the
machine. Learn its application and limitations as well as the specific
potential hazards peculiar to it.
Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and their proper operation. Know
how to stop the machine and disengage the controls quickly.
Make sure to read and understand all the instructions and safety
precautions as outlined in the Engine's Manufacturer's Manual,
packed separately with your unit.
Do not attempt to operate the machine until you fully understand how to
properly operate and maintain the engine and how to avoid accidental
injuries and/or property damage.
Work area
Never start or run the machine inside a closed area. The exhaust fumes
are dangerous, containing carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly
gas. Operate this unit only in a well ventilated outdoor area.
Never operate the machine without good visibility or light.
Personal safety
Do not operate the machine while under the influence of drugs, alcohol,
or any medication that could affect your ability to use it properly.
Dress properly
Wear heavy long pants, boots and gloves. Do not Wear loose clothing,
short pants, and jewelry of any kind. Do not wear Secure long hair so
it is above shoulder level.
Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose
clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts
.
Use safety equipment
Always wear eye protection. Safety equipment such as a dust mask,
hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will
reduce personal injuries.
Check your machine before starting it. Keep guards in place and in
working order. Make sure all nuts, bolts, etc. are securely tightened.
Never operate the machine when it is in need of repair or is in poor
mechanical condition. Replace damaged, missing or failed parts before
using it. Check for fuel leaks. Keep the machine in safe working
condition.
Never remove or tamper with safety device. Check their proper
operation regularly.
Do not use the machine if the engine's switch does not turn it on or off.
Any gasoline powered machine that can not be controlled with the
engine switch is dangerous and must be replaced.
Form a habit of checking to see that keys and adjusting wrenches are
removed from machine area before starting it. A wrench or a key that is
left attached to a rotating part of the machine may result in personal
injury.
Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when
operating the machine.
Do not overreach. Do not operate the machine while barefoot or when
wearing sandals or similar lightweight footwear. Wear protective
footwear that will protect your feet and improve your footing on slippery
surfaces. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables
better control of the machine in unexpected situations.
Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the engine is off before transporting the
machine or performing any maintenance or service on the unit.
Transporting or performing maintenance or service on a machine with
engine on invites accidents.
Fuel safety
Fuel is highly flammable, and its vapors can explode if ignited. Take
precautions when using to reduce the chance of serious personal injury.
When refilling or draining the fuel tank, use an approved fuel storage
container while in a clean, well-ventilated outdoor. Do not smoke, or allow
sparks, open flames or other sources of ignition near the area while adding
fuel or operating the unit. Never fill fuel tank indoors. Keep grounded
conductive objects, such as tools,away from exposed, live electrical parts
and connections to avoid sparking or arcing, These events could ignite
fumes or vapors.
Always stop the engine and allow it to cool before filling the fuel tank. Never
remove the cap of the fuel tank or add fuel while the engine is running or
when the engine is hot. Do not operate the machine with known leaks in
the fuel system.
Loose the fuel tank cap slowly to relieve any pressure in the tank.
Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 12.5mm (1/2") below the
bottom of the filler neck to provide space for expansion as the heat of the
engine can cause fuel to expand.
Replace all fuel tank and container caps securely and wipe up spilled fuel.
Never operate the unit without the fuel cap securely in place.
Avoid creating a source of ignition for spilled fuel. If fuel is spilled, do not
attempt to start the engine but move the machine away from the area of
spillage and avoid creating any source of ignition until fuel vapors have
dissipated.
Store fuel in containers specifically designed and approved for this
purpose.
Store fuel in a cool, well-ventilated area, safely away from sparks, open
flames or other sources of ignition.
Never store fuel or machine with fuel in the tank inside a building where
fumes may reach a spark, open flame, or other sources of ignition, such as
a water heater, furnace, clothes dryer and the like. Allow the engine to cool
before storing in any enclosure.
Machine use and care
Position the machine in such a way that it can not move during
maintenance, cleaning, adjustment, assembly of accessories or spare
parts, as well as under storage.
Do not force the machine. Use the correct machine for your application. The
correct machine will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was
designed.
Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The
governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
Do not run the engine at a high speed when you are not working.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts. Avoid contact with hot fuel,
oil, exhaust fumes and hot surfaces. Do not touch the engine or muffle.
These parts get extremely hot from operation. They remain hot for a short
time after you turn off the unit. Allow the engine to cool before doing
maintenance or making adjustments.
If the machine should start to make an unusual noise or vibration,
immediately shut off the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and check
for the cause. Unusual noise or vibration is generally warning of trouble.
Use only attachments and accessories approved by the manufacturer.
Failure to do so can result in personal injury.
Maintain the machine. Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts and any other condition that may affect the machine's
operation. If damaged, have the machine repaired before use. Many
accidents are caused by poorly maintained equipment.
Keep the engine and muffler free of grass, leaves, excessive grease or
carbon build up to reduce the chance of a fire hazard.
Never douse or squirt the unit with water or any other liquid. Keep handles
dry, clean and free from debris. Clean after each use.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the
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environment.