Chain Saw Safety Warnings; Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback - Echo DCS-1600 Manuel D'utilisation

For safe use of your product

Chain saw safety warnings

Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain
when the chain saw is operating. Before you start the
chain saw, make sure the saw chain is not contacting
anything.
A moment of inattention while operating chain saws may
cause entanglement of your clothing or body with the saw
chain.
Always hold the chain saw with your right hand on the
rear handle and your left hand on the front handle.
Holding the chain saw with a reversed hand configuration in-
creases the risk of personal injury and should never be
done.
Hold the power tool by insulated gripping surfaces only,
because the saw chain may contact hidden wiring or its
own cord.
Saw chains contacting a "live" wire may make exposed met-
al parts of the power tool "live" and could give the operator
an electric shock.
Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Further
protective equipment for head, hands, legs and feet is
recommended.
Adequate protective clothing will reduce personal injury by
flying debris or accidental contact with the saw chain.
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree.
Operation of a chain saw while up in a tree may result in per-
sonal injury.

Causes and operator prevention of kickback

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.
Tip contact in some cases may cause a sudden reverse reac-
tion, kicking the guide bar up and back towards the operator.
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push
the guide bar rapidly back towards the operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the
saw which could result in serious personal injury. Do not rely
exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a
chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep your cut-
ting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect operating
procedures or conditions and can be avoided by taking proper
precautions as given below:
WARNING
Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw
only when standing on fixed, secure and level surface.
Slippery or unstable surfaces such as ladders may cause a
loss of balance or control of the chain saw.
When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for
spring back.
When the tension in the wood fibres is released the spring
loaded limb may strike the operator and/or throw the chain
saw out of control.
Use extreme caution when cutting brush and saplings.
The slender material may catch the saw chain and be
whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the chain
saw switched off and away from your body. When trans-
porting or storing the chain saw always fit the guide bar
cover.
Proper handling of the chain saw will reduce the likelihood
of accidental contact with the moving saw chain.
Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning
and changing accessories.
Improperly tensioned or lubricated chain may either break or
increase the chance for kickback.
Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease.
Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss of control.
Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes not
intended. For example: do not use chain saw for cutting
plastic, masonry or non-wood building materials.
Use of the chain saw for operations different than intended
could result in a hazardous situation.
DANGER
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encircling
the chain saw handles, with both hands on the saw and
position your body and arm to allow you to resist kick-
back forces.
Kickback forces can be controlled by the operator, if proper
precautions are taken. Do not let go of the chain saw.
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder height.
This helps prevent unintended tip contact and enables bet-
ter control of the chain saw in unexpected situations.
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
manufacturer.
Incorrect replacement bars and chains may cause chain
breakage and/or kickback.
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and maintenance
instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to increased
kickback.
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