General Chain Saw Safety Warnings; Additional Safety Warnings - Bosch UniversalChain 18 Manual Original

18 | English

General Chain Saw Safety Warnings

Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain
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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
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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 chain saw by insulated gripping surfaces
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only, because the saw chain may contact hidden wir-
ing. Saw chains contacting a "live" wire may make ex-
posed metal parts of the chain saw "live" and could give
the operator an electric shock.
Wear eye protection. Further protective equipment
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for hearing, head, hands, legs and feet is recommen-
ded. Adequate protective clothing will reduce personal
injury from flying debris or accidental contact with the
saw chain.
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree, on a ladder, from
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a rooftop, or any unstable support. Operation of a chain
saw in this manner could result in serious personal injury.
Always keep proper footing and operate the chain saw
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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
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spring back. When the tension in the wood fibres is re-
leased 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.
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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
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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 re-
duce the likelihood of accidental contact with the moving
saw chain.
Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning
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and changing the bar and chain. Improperly tensioned
or lubricated chain may either break or increase the
chance for kickback.
Cut wood only. Do not use chain saw for purposes not
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intended. For example: For example: do not use chain
saw for cutting metal, plastic, masonry or non-wood
building materials. Use of the chain saw for operations
different than intended could result in a hazardous situ-
ation.
This chain saw is not intended for tree felling. Use of
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the chain saw for operations different than intended
could result in serious injury to the operator or bystand-
ers.
F 016 L94 153 | (04.02.2021)
Follow all instructions when clearing jammed mater-
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ial, storing or servicing the chain saw. Make sure the
switch is off and the battery pack is removed. Unex-
pected actuation of the chain saw while clearing jammed
material or servicing may result in serious personal injury.
Causes and operator prevention of kickback:
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– 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 oper-
ator.
– 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 in-
jury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and/or incorrect op-
erating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below:
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers encirc-
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ling 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 con-
trolled 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
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height. This helps prevent unintended tip contact and en-
ables better control of the chain saw in unexpected situ-
ations.
Only use replacement bars and chains specified by the
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manufacturer. Incorrect replacement bars and chains
may cause chain breakage and/or kickback.
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and mainten-
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ance instructions for the saw chain. Decreasing the
depth gauge height can lead to increased kickback.

Additional safety warnings

It is recommended that the first time user should have
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practical instruction in the use of the chainsaw and the
protective equipment from an experienced operator. The
initial practice should be cutting logs on a saw horse or
cradle.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (includ-
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ing children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental
capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless
they have been given supervision or instruction concern-
ing use of the appliance by a person responsible for their
safety.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not
play with the appliance.
Children and juveniles, with the exception of appren-
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tices older than 16 years and under supervision, may
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