Echo DCS-1600 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 components of this machine generate an electro-
magnetic field during operation, which may interfere
with some pacemakers. To reduce health risks, we rec-
ommend that pacemaker users consult their physician
and the pacemaker manufacturer before operating this
product.
If you have any physical condition which strenuous
work could worsen, check with your physician before
using a chain saw.
Do not operate when ill or fatigued, or under the influ-
ence of any substance or medication which could affect
your vision, dexterity or judgement.
Environment of use and operation
Do not use the product.
in damp or wet locations.
in the rain.
under poor weather conditions.
To do so could lead to an accident or serious
injury.
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.
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 unit and ensure that the saw chain has stopped
moving, then fit the guide bar cover. Do not carry unit with
the power indicator LED illuminated.
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 serious in-
jury.
When you carry the chain saw, point the guide bar and
saw chain toward the back.
When transporting the product by car, fit the guide bar
cover, and secure the product firmly in place to prevent
it from moving around.
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.
Limit the number of hours of operation.
Try to fill each day with jobs where operating the chain
saw 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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