Safety Manual

2
ENGLISH
INTRODUCTION
WARNING
Before using your saw, read this Safety Manual and your chain
saw instruction manual carefully. You must completely understand
and follow all safety rules, precautions, and operating instructions.
ECHO Incorporated recommends that you obtain and review the
supplemental Chain Saw Safety Video.
Congratulations on taking the right steps to learn basic chain saw safety. Over the
years, ECHO Incorporated has developed and improved technology to increase the
safety of chain saw use. However, chain saws are powerful cutting tools intended
to quickly cut trees and branches and to get the job done fast. Like other types of
outdoor cutting and wood working power equipment, the chain saw’s sharp, high-
speed cutters require that you operate the saw carefully to avoid serious or fatal
injury.
You must read and understand the specic chain saw instruction manual and
this safety manual. Before operating your gasoline or electric chain saw, you
must learn about the chain saw reactions, which can occur when cutting.
Unless noted, the safety rules presented apply to both gasoline and electric
chain saws.
This manual describes the hazards and risks associated with cutting, trimming,
felling, refueling and other activities involving use of a chain saw. Many vital
safety awareness tips are mentioned to help identify the dangers of using
chain saws, and to teach you the precautions to take to avoid injury. ECHO
Incorporated has also provided helpful information about cutting techniques to
make the tasks easier, more productive, and safer.
If you have any feelings that the tree removal or cutting task requires you to put
yourself, your property, or others at risk, please consider calling a professional
to handle the job. Tree trimming and felling mishaps can cause serious or fatal
injury to you, others, and possible damage to property.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................2
KEY CHAIN SAW TERMS ................................................................................3
SAFETY SYMBOLS AND WARNINGS ............................................................5
KICKBACK/ OPTIONAL KICK GUARD
TM
......................................................10
FORCES YOU MUST CONTROL 10
SKATING 11
OPTIONAL KICK GUARD INSTALLATION 12
COMMON CAUSES OF KICKBACK 15
OPERATOR SAFETY .....................................................................................21
FUELING ......................................................................................................... 29
OPERATION ...................................................................................................33
SAFE WOOD CUTTING PRACTICES 33
PINCHING, BINDING & SPLITTING 34
PRUNING SHADE TREES AND CUTTING SAPLINGS 35
FELLING TREES 36
LIMBING AND BUCKING 39
FELLING VERY LARGE TREES 40
BOW SAW WARNING 42
ELECTRIC CHAIN SAW SAFETY ..................................................................43
NOTES ............................................................................................................45