General Safety Rules - Generac Power Systems Q-55G Series Owner's Manual

GENERAL SAFETY RULES_
THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTS THAT THESE •'RULES1' FOR SAFE OPERATION BE COPIED AND
POSTED IN POTENTIAL HAZARD AREAS OF THE INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE. SAFETY SHOULD BE STRESSED
TO ALL OPERATORS AND POTENTIAL OPERATORS OF THIS EQUIPMENT.
Study these SAFETY RULES carefully before operating
or servicing applicable equipment. Become familiar
with this Owner's Manual and with your generator. Safe,
efficient and reliable operation can only be achieved if
generator is properly installed, operated and main¬
tained. Many accidents are caused by failing to follow
simple and fundamental rules or precautions. The man¬
ufacturer suggests that these GENERAL SAFETY
RULES be copied and posted in potential hazard areas
of the industrial vehicle. Safety should be stressed to
all operators and potential operators of equipment.
The manufacturer cannot possibly anticipate every pos¬
sible circumstance that might involve a hazard. The
warnings in this Manual and on tags and decals affixed
to the unit are, therefore, not all-inclusive. If you use a
procedure, work method or operating technique
Generac does not specifically recommend, you must
satisfy yourself that it is safe for you and others. You
must also make sure the procedure, work method or
operating technique that you chose does not render the
generator to be unsafe.
• For fire safety, the industrial mobile generator must
be properly installed and maintained. Installation
must always remain in compliance with applicable
codes and standards. In addition, the generator
must be installed in conformance to the
manufacturer's detailed installation instructions.
Following installation, nothing must be done that
might render the generator in noncompliance with
such codes, standards and instructions.
• The RV generator produces extremely high and
dangerous electrical voltages and can cause dan¬
gerous, and possibly fatal, electrical shock. Avoid
contact with bare wires, terminals, etc. while the
unit is running. If you must work around an operat¬
ing generator, stand on an insulated, dry surface to
reduce shock hazard.
• Never work on this equipment or handle any elec¬
trical device while standing in water, while barefoot,
or while hands or feet are wet. Dangerous electri¬
cal shock will result.
• Have the generator properly grounded (bonded)
during installation onto the vehicle, either by solid
mounting to the vehicle frame or chassis or by
means of an approved bonding conductor. DO
NOT disconnect the bonding conductor, if so
equipped. DO NOT reconnect the bonding conduc¬
tor to any generator part that might be removed or
disassembled during routine maintenance. If the
grounding conductor must be replaced, use only a
flexible conductor that is of No. 8 AWG copper wire
minimum.
• Inspect the generator periodically. Repair or re¬
place all damaged or defective parts immediately.
In case of accident caused by electric shock, shut
down the source of electrical power down at once.
If this cannot be done, free victim from live conduc¬
tor. AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE VIC¬
TIM. Use a dry board, dry rope, or other non-con¬
ducting implement to free the victim from live con¬
ductor. If victim is unconscious, apply CPR (cardio¬
pulmonary resuscitation) and get medical help.
Inspect fuel system frequently for leaks or damage.
Repair or replace any damaged or leaking compo¬
nent immediately. Never attempt to change, alter
or modify the generator fuel system in any way that
might affect safety or compliance with applicable
codes and standards'.
The generator engine gives off DEADLY carbon
monoxide gas through its exhaust system. This
dangerous gas, if breathed in sufficient concentra¬
tions, can cause unconsciousness or even death.
This exhaust system must have been properly in¬
stalled, in strict compliance with applicable codes
and standards. Following installation, you must do
nothing that might render the system unsafe or in
non-compliance with such codes and standards.
The generator compartment must be completely
vapor sealed from vehicle interior. There must be
no possibility of exhaust fumes entering the vehicle
interior. Never operate this equipment with a leak¬
ing or defective exhaust system.
Never use the generator or any of its parts as a step.
Stepping on the unit can stress and break parts and
may result in dangerous operating conditions from
leaking exhaust gases, fuel leakage, oil leakage,
coolant leakage, etc.
Do not smoke around the generator. Wipe up any
fuel, oil and coolant spills immediately. Never leave
oily or fuel soaked rags in the generator compart¬
ment or on the generator itself. Keep the area
around the generator clean and free of debris.
Adequate ventilation is required to expel toxic
fumes and gasoline vapors from the generator com¬
partment. Do not alter the installation of this equip¬
ment in any manner that might obstruct air and
ventilation openings. Such openings must be kept
clear and unobstructed.
Keep hands, feet, clothing, etc., away from drive
belts, fans and other moving parts of this equip¬
ment. Never remove any drive belt or fan guards
while the unit is operating.
Some generators may use LP gas (propane) as a
fuel. LP gas is highly EXPLOSIVE. The gas is
heavier than air and tends to settle in low areas
where even the slightest spark can ignite the gas
and cause an explosion.
Before performing any maintenance on the gener¬
ator set, disconnect its battery cables to prevent
accidental start up. Disconnect the cable from the
battery post indicated by a NEGATIVE, NEG or (-)
first. Reconnect that cable last.