3.2- General power tool safety warnings
1) Work area safety
a) Keep work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
b) Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable
liquids, gases or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.
c) Keep children and bystanders away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to
lose control.
Do not let persons, especially children, not involved in the work use the tool, touch the tool and keep
them away from the work area.
Keep the product away from children or from their environment. Never allow children to operate the
tool. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the tool.
2) Electrical safety
a) Power tool plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug in any way. Do not use any
adapter plugs with earthed (grounded) power tools. Unmodified plugs and matching outlets will
reduce risk of electric shock.
b) Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces, such as pipes, radiators, ranges and
refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
c) Do not expose power tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a power tool will increase the
risk of electric shock.
d) Do not abuse the cord. Never use the cord for carrying, pulling or unplugging the power tool.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Damaged or entangled cords increase
the risk of electric shock.
e) When operating a power tool outdoors, use an extension cord suitable for outdoor use. Use of a
cord suitable for outdoor use reduces the risk of electric shock.
f) If operating a power tool in a damp location is unavoidable, use a residual current device
(RCD) protected supply. Use of an RCD reduces the risk of electric shock.
3) Personal safety
a) Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do
not use a power tool while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. A
moment of inattention while operating power tools may result in serious personal injury.
b) Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection. Protective equipment such as
dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection used for appropriate conditions will
reduce personal injuries.
c) Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off-position before connecting to
power source and/or battery pack, picking up or carrying the tool. Carrying power tools with your
finger on the switch or energising power tools that have the switch on invites accidents.
d) Remove any adjusting key or wrench before turning the power tool on. A wrench or a key left
attached to a rotating part of the power tool may result in personal injury.
e) Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. This enables better control of the
power tool in unexpected situations.
f) Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves
away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewellery or long hair can be caught in moving parts.
g) If devices are provided for the connection of dust extraction and collection facilities, ensure
these are connected and properly used. Use of dust collection device can reduce dust-related
hazards.
4) Power tool use and care
a) Do not force the power tool. Use the correct power tool for your application. The correct power
tool will do the job better and safer at the rated speed for which it was designed.
Page 22 / 55