Ryobi RY40502 - Manual (Page 5)

5 - English
 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 increases 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. Saw chains contacting
a “live” wire may make exposed metal parts of
the power tool “live” and could give the operator
an electric shock.
 Wear safety glasses and hearing protec-
tion. Further protective equipment for head,
hands, legs and feet is recommended.
Adequate protective clothing will reduce per-
sonal injury by flying debris or accidental con-
tact with the saw chain.
 Do not operate a chain saw in a tree. Opera-
tion of a chain saw while up in a tree may result
in personal injury.
 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 transporting 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 ten-
sioning 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.
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 reaction, 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
cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incor-
rect operating procedures or conditions and can
be avoided by taking proper precautions as given
below:

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 kickback forces.
Kickback forces can be controlled by the opera-
tor, if proper precautions are taken. Do not let
go of the chain saw.
 Do not overreach and do not cut above shoul-
der height. This helps prevent unintended tip
contact and enables better control of the chain
saw in unexpected situations.
CHAIN SAW SAFETY WARNINGS