Operator Safety - Echo CS-450P Instruction Manual

WARNING
Moving parts can amputate fingers or cause severe injuries. Keep hands, clothing and loose objects away from
all openings.
• ALWAYS stop engine, disconnect spark plug, and make sure all moving parts have come to a complete stop
before removing obstructions, clearing debris, or servicing unit.
• DO NOT start or operate unit unless all guards and protective covers are properly assembled to unit.
• NEVER reach into any opening while the engine is running. Moving parts may not be visible through openings.
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
vibration and cold.
Exposure to vibration and cold may cause tingling
and burning followed by loss of color and numbness
in the fingers. The following precautions are strongly
recommended 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 vigor-
ous 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 chain saw,
or other hand-held power equipment is not required.
• If you experience discomfort redness and swelling
of the fingers, followed by whitening and loss of
feeling, consult your physician before further expos-
ing yourself to cold and vibration.
REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY
• It is believed that over-using the muscles and ten-
dons of the finger, hands, arms and shoulders may
cause soreness, 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).
• An extreme RSI condition is Carpal Tunnel Syn-
drome (CTS) which could occur when your wrist
swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs through
the area. Some believe that prolonged exposure to
vibration may contribute to CTS. CTS can cause
severe pain for months or even years.
To reduce the risk of RSI/CTS, 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.

OPERATOR SAFETY

• See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain in
EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION
• Wear eye protection goggles that meet ANSI
• Wear hearing protection.
WEAR PROPER CLOTHING
• Snug fitting durable clothing should be worn. Pants
• Wear shoes with non-skid soles. DO NOT wear open
• Wear no-slip, heavy duty work gloves to improve your
HOT HUMID WEATHER
• Heavy protective clothing can increase operator
AVOID HOT SURFACES
• During operation, the muffler or catalytic muffler and
• Never suspend the saw on a lanyard with the engine
• Always use the saw from the right-hand side of your
• Always wear proper safety clothing to protect your
• Always keep exhaust area clear of flammable debris
9
your fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI/
CTS is diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve
and muscle damage can be prevented.
Z 87.1 requirements.
Goggles meeting the requirements have the mark "Z
87" stamped on them.
If this guideline is not followed, hearing loss can oc-
cur.
ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection at all
times.
should have long legs, DO NOT WEAR SHORTS.
Do not wear loose fitting clothing, scarves, neckties,
jewelry or any item that may become tangled in sur-
rounding growth or the chain saw itself.
toed shoes or operate unit barefooted.
grip on the chain saw handles. The gloves also help
reduce the transmission of machine vibration to your
hands.
fatigue which may lead to heat stroke.
Schedule heavy work for early morning, or late
afternoon hours when temperatures are cooler.
surrounding cover become hot.
running.
body - NEVER from the left side.
lower body from sharp saw chain and hot muffler.
during transportation or when storing, otherwise seri-
ous property damage or personal injury may result.
CS-450P