Use and Care Manual

8
CS-501P
OPERATOR SAFETY
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
vigorous 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 exposing yourself to cold and vibration.
REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY
• Itisbelievedthatover-usingthemusclesand
tendons 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
Syndrome (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.
• Seeadoctorifyoufeeltingling,numbnessor
pain in your fingers, hands, wrists or arms.
The sooner RSI/CTS is diagnosed, the more
likely permanent nerve and muscle damage can
be prevented.
EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION
• WeareyeprotectiongogglesthatmeetANSI
Z 87.1 requirements.
Goggles meeting the requirements have the
mark “Z 87” stamped on them.
• Wearhearingprotection.
If this guideline is not followed, hearing loss can
occur.
ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection
at all times.
WEAR PROPER CLOTHING
• Snugttingdurableclothingshouldbeworn.
Pants 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 surrounding growth or the chain saw
itself.
• Wearshoeswithnon-skidsoles.
Do not wear open toed shoes or operate unit
barefooted.
• Wearno-slip,heavydutyworkglovestoimprove
your grip on the chain saw handles.
The gloves also help reduce the transmission of
machine vibration to your hands.
HOT HUMID WEATHER
• Heavyprotectiveclothingcanincreaseoperator
fatigue which may lead to heat stroke.
Schedule heavy work for early morning, or late
afternoon hours when temperatures are cooler.
AVOID HOT SURFACES
• Duringoperation,themuferorcatalyticmufer
and surrounding cover become hot.
• Neversuspendthesawonalanyardwiththe
engine running.
• Alwaysusethesawfromtheright-handsideof
your body - never from the left side.
• Alwayswearpropersafetyclothingtoprotect
your lower body from sharp saw chain and hot
muffler.
• Alwayskeepexhaustareaclearofammable
debris during transportation or when storing,
otherwise serious property damage or personal
injury may result.