Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback - Stihl MSA 300.0 Instruction Manual

5 General Power Tool Safety Warnings
moment of inattention while operating chain saws may
cause entanglement of your clothing or body with the saw
chain.
b) 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 the reversed hand configuration increases
the risk of personal injury and should never be done.
c) Hold the chain saw by insulated gripping surfaces only,
because the saw chain may contact hidden wiring. Saw
chain contacting a "live" wire may make exposed metal
parts of the chain saw "live" and could give the operator
an electric shock.
d) Wear eye protection. Further protective equipment for
hearing, head, hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Adequate protective equipment will reduce personal injury
from flying debris and or accidental contact with the saw
chain.
e) Do not operate a chain saw on a ladder, from a rooftop, or
any unstable support. Operation of a chain saw in this
manner could result in serious personal injury.
f) Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw
only when standing on fixed, secure and level surface.
Slippery or unstable surfaces may cause a loss of balance
or control of the chain saw.
g) When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for
spring back. When the tension in the wood fibers is
released, the spring loaded limb may strike the operator
and/or throw the chain saw out of control.
h) 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.
i) 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.
j) Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning and
changing the bar and chain. Improperly tensioned or
lubricated chain may either break or increase the chance
for kickback.
0458-009-8601-A
k) Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes not
intended. For example: do not use chain saw for cutting
metal, plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials.
Use of the chain saw for operations different than intended
could result in a hazardous situation.
l) Do not attempt to fell a tree until you have an
understanding of the risks and how to avoid them. Serious
injury could occur to the operator or bystanders while
felling a tree.
m)Follow all instructions when clearing jammed material,
storing or servicing the chain saw. Make sure the switch
is off and the battery pack is removed. Unexpected
actuation of the chain saw while clearing jammed material
or servicing may result in serious personal injury.
n) Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have been
specifically trained to do so. Operation of a chain saw in a
tree without proper training could increase the risk of
serious personal injury.
5.9

Causes and Operator Prevention of Kickback

a) 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.
b) Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse
reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the
operator.
c) Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may
push the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator.
d) 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.
e) Kickback is the result of chain saw misuse and/or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below:
1) 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
English
9