Echo HCA-2620ES-HD Operator's Manual

10For safe use of your productWARNINGUsers of the productThe product should not be used by: people who are tired people who have taken alcohol people who are on medication people who are pregnant people who are in poor physicalcondition people who have not read the op-erator's manual children Failure to observe these instruc-tions could lead to an accident. The ignition system of this product generates electro-magnetic fields during operation. Magnetic fields cancause pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure. Toreduce health risks, we recommend that pacemaker us-ers consult their physician and the pacemaker manu-facturer before operating this product.Environment of use and operation Do not use the product in places where there is no surefoothold, such as on steep slopes or after rainfall, assuch places are slippery and dangerous. Maintain footing and balance at all times. Do not standon slippery, uneven or unstable surfaces. Do not workin odd positions or on ladders. Do not over reach. Do not operate the product at night or in dark placeswith poor visibility. Heavy protective clothing can increase operator fatiguewhich may lead to heat stroke. Schedule heavy work forearly morning or late afternoon hours when tempera-tures are cooler. When cutting a branch that is under tension, be alert forspring-back so that you will not be struck by the movingbranch. A serious injury could result if you fall or slip, or fail to oper-ate the product correctly.Transport of the productWhen transporting in the situations described below, turnoff the engine and ensure that the cutter blades hasstopped moving, then fit the blade cover and position thesilencer away from yourself. Moving to the place where you are working Moving to another area while you are working Leaving the place where you have been working Failure to observe these precautions could cause burns orserious injury. When transporting the product by car, empty the fueltank, fit the blade cover, and secure the product firmlyin place to prevent it from moving around. When carrying the articulated hedge trimmer by hand,the cutter attachment should be pointing backward withthe cutter blade in the retracted or transporting posi-tion. Travelling by car with fuel in the fuel tank could lead to a fire.Vibration and coldIt is believed that a condition called Raynaud's Phenome-non which affects the fingers of certain individuals may bebrought about by exposure to vibration and cold. Expo-sure to vibration and cold may cause tingling and burning,followed by loss of colour and numbness in the fingers.The following precautions are strongly recommended be-cause the minimum exposure which might trigger the ail-ment is unknown. Keep your body warm, especially the head and neck,feet and ankles, and hands and wrists. Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorousarm exercises during frequent work breaks, and also bynot smoking. Limit the number of hours of operation.Try to fill each day with jobs where operating the hedgetrimmer or other hand-held power equipment is not re-quired. If you experience discomfort redness and swelling ofthe fingers, followed by whitening and loss of feeling,consult your physician before exposing yourself furtherto cold and vibration. Failure to observe these instructions could result in damageto your health.Repetitive stress injuriesIt is believed that over-using the muscles and tendons ofthe fingers, hands, arms and shoulders may cause sore-ness, swelling, numbness, weakness and extreme pain tothe areas just mentioned. Certain repetitive hand activitiesmay put you at a high risk for developing a repetitivestress injury (RSI).To reduce the risk of RSI, do the following: Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended or twistedposition. Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and restyour hands. Reduce the speed and force in which youdo the repetitive movement. Do exercises to strengthen hand and arm muscles. See a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness or pain inyour fingers, hands, wrists or arms. The sooner RSI isdiagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve and muscledamage can be prevented. Failure to observe these instructions could result in damageto your health.