Repetitive Stress Injuries - Bushranger BRUZCS5210 Operator's Manual

SAFETY RULES & PRECAUTIONS
KICKBACK SAFETY (continued)
• Use only replacement guide bars and chains specified by the manufacturer, or the acceptable equivalent of these guide
bars and chains.
OTHER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS - VIBRATION AND COLD
• It is believed that a condition called Raynaud's Phenomenon, which affects the fingers of certain individuals, may be
brought about by exposure to cold and vibration. Accordingly, your chain saw has shock mount designed to reduce
the intensity of vibration received through the handles. Exposure to cold and vibration may cause tingling and burning
followed by loss of colour and numbness in the fingers. We strongly recommend you taking the following precautions
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 chain saw operation. Try to fill a part of each work day with jobs other than chain sawing.
• 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.
MACHINE CONDITIONS
• Do not modify a chain saw in any way.
• Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled.
• Do not operate the chain saw with a loose or defective silencer. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the
throttle control trigger is released.

REPETITIVE STRESS INJURIES

• 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 to the areas just mentioned. To reduce the risk of repetitive stress
injury, 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.
• Reduce the speed and force in which you do the repetitive movement. Do exercises to strengthen the hand and arm
muscles. See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in the fingers, hands, wrists or arms.
CUTTING
• Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have been specifically trained to do so.
• Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the engine is running.
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