Safety Precautions - Makita DCS 330 TH Owner's And Safety Manual

Safety precautions for chain saw operators
CAUTION: This chain saw is designed especially for
tree care and surgery. Only persons trained in tree
care and surgery may use this saw! Observe all
literature, procedures and recommendations from
the relevant professional organisation. Failure to do
so constitutes a high accident risk! We recommend
always using a rising platform (cherry picker, lift) for
sawing in trees. Rappelling (abseil) techniques are
extremely dangerous and require special training!
The operator must be trained in and familiar with the
use of safety equipment and working and climbing
techniques! Always use the appropriate belts, ropes
and carabiners when working in trees. Always use
restraining equipment for both the operator and the
saw!
While operating the chain saw please observe the
following rules:
a) Contact of the guide bar nose with any object should
be avoided.
b) Tip contact may cause the guide bar to move suddenly
upward and backward, which may cause serious or
fatal injury.
c) Always operate the chain saw with both hands.
WARNING!
Read and follow all safety precautions in the owner's
manual. Failure to follow instructions could result in
serious injury. It is recommended to lend the chain
saw only to people who are experienced in working
with chain saws. Always hand over the Owner's and
Safety Manual.
WARNING!
This chain saw is capable of severe kickback that
could result in serious injury to the operator. Do not
operate this chain saw unless you have extraordinary
cutting needs and experience in and special training
for dealing with kickback. Chain saws with significantly
reduced kickback potential are available.
WARNING!
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. This contact
may abruptly stop the saw chain and in some cases
may cause a lightning fast reverse reaction, kicking
the guide bar up and back towards the user, or push
the guide bar back towards the operator. Kickback
may cause you to lose control of the saw.
As a chain saw user, you can take several steps to
reduce the risk of a kickback and potential injury.
A. With a basic understanding of kickback, you can
reduce or eliminate the element of surprise. It is
a sudden surprise that contributes to accidents.
B. Keep a good firm grip on the saw with both
hands, your right hand on the rear grip and your
left hand on the tubular handle, when the engine
is running. Use a firm grip with thumbs and
fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm
grip can neutralize kickback and help you
maintain control of the saw. Don't let go!
C. Make sure that the area in which you are cutting
4
is free from obstructions. Do not let the nose of
the guide bar contact the log, branch, or any
other obstructions which could be hit while you
are operating the saw.
D. Do not overreach or cut above shoulder height.
E. Follow manufacturer's sharpening and mainten-
ance instructions for the saw chain.
F. Only use replacement bars and chains specified
by the manufacturer or the equivalent.
Additional safety precautions
The following additional safety precautions should be
observed by all users of chain saws:
1. Do not operate a chain saw when you are fatigued.
2. Use safety footwear; snug-fitting clothing; protective
gloves; and eye, hearing, and head protection
devices.
3. Use caution when handling fuel. Move the chain saw
at least 10 feet (3 m) from the fueling point before
starting the engine.
4. Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw
when starting or cutting with the chain saw. Keep
bystanders and animals out of the work area.
5. Do not start cutting until you have a clear work
area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path from
the falling tree.
6. Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain
when the engine is running.
7. Before you start the engine, make sure that the saw
chain is not contacting anything.
8. Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the
guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler
away from your body.
9. Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, is
improperly adjusted, or is not completely and securely
assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving
when the throttle control trigger is released.
10. Shut off the engine before setting it down.
11. Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush
and saplings because slender material may catch
the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull
you off balance.
12. When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for
springback so that you will not be struck when the
tension on the wood fibers is released.
13. Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel
mixture.
14. Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated areas.
15. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have
been specifically trained to do so.
16. All chain saw service, other than the items listed in
the owner's manual maintenance instructions, should
be performed by MAKITA . (For example, if improper
tools are used to remove the flywheel or if an
improper tool is used to hold the flywheel in order to
remove the clutch structural damage to the flywheel
could occur and could subsequently cause the
flywheel to burst.)
17. When transporting your chain saw, use the chain
protection cover.
18. Low kickback bars and low kickback chains are
designed to reduce the risk of kickback injury. Ask
your MAKITA dealer about these devices.