Safety Precautions - Makita DCS 341 Owner's And Safety Manual

Safety precautions for chain saw operators
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.
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 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 main-
tenance instructions for the saw chain.
F. Only use replacement bars and chains speci-
fied by the manufacturer or the equivalent.
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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 y o u
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.