Echo HCA-265ES-HD Operator's Manual page 12

For safe use of your product
Users of the product
The product should not be used by:
people who are tired
people who have taken alcohol
people who are on medication
people who are pregnant
people who are in poor physical
condition
people who have not read the op-
erator's manual
children
Failure to observe these instruc-
tions could lead to an accident.
The ignition system of this product generates electro-
magnetic fields during operation. Magnetic fields can
cause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. To
reduce health risks, we recommend that pacemaker us-
ers consult their physician and the pacemaker manu-
facturer before operating this product.
Environment of use and operation
Do not use the product in places where there is no sure
foothold, such as on steep slopes or after rainfall, as
such places are slippery and dangerous.
Maintain footing and balance at all times. Do not stand
on slippery, uneven or unstable surfaces. Do not work
in odd positions or on ladders. Do not over reach.
Do not operate the product at night or in dark places
with poor visibility.
Heavy protective clothing can increase operator fatigue
which may lead to heat stroke. Schedule heavy work for
early morning or late afternoon hours when tempera-
tures are cooler.
When cutting a branch that is under tension, be alert for
spring-back so that you will not be struck by the moving
branch.
A serious injury could result if you fall or slip, or fail to oper-
ate the product correctly.
Transport of the product
When transporting in the situations described below, turn
off the engine and ensure that the cutter blades has
stopped moving, then fit the blade cover and position the
silencer away from yourself.
Moving to the place where you are working
Moving to another area while you are working
Leaving the place where you have been working
Failure to observe these precautions could cause burns or
serious injury.
When transporting the product by car, empty the fuel
tank, fit the blade cover, and secure the product firmly
in place to prevent it from moving around.
When carrying the articulated hedge trimmer by hand,
the cutter attachment should be pointing backward with
the cutter blade in the retracted or transporting posi-
tion.
Travelling by car with fuel in the fuel tank could lead to a fire.
WARNING
Vibration and cold
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud's Phenome-
non which affects the fingers of certain individuals may be
brought about by exposure to vibration and cold. Expo-
sure to vibration and cold may cause tingling and burning,
followed by loss of colour and numbness in the fingers.
The following precautions are strongly recommended be-
cause the minimum exposure which might trigger the ail-
ment 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 operation.
Try to fill each day with jobs where operating the hedge
trimmer or other hand-held power equipment is not re-
quired.
If you experience discomfort redness and swelling of
the fingers, followed by whitening and loss of feeling,
consult your physician before exposing yourself further
to cold and vibration.
Failure to observe these instructions could result in damage
to your health.
Repetitive stress injuries
It is believed that over-using the muscles and tendons of
the fingers, hands, arms and shoulders may cause sore-
ness, swelling, numbness, weakness and extreme pain to
the areas just mentioned. Certain repetitive hand activities
may put you at a high risk for developing a repetitive
stress injury (RSI).
To reduce the risk of RSI, do the following:
Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended or twisted
position.
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 hand and arm muscles.
See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in
your fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI is
diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve and muscle
damage can be prevented.
Failure to observe these instructions could result in damage
to your health.
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