General Safety Information, Work Area Safety

No. 700 Portable Power Drive

General Safety Information

WARNING! Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area Safety

•Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents.

•Do not operate tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Tools create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

•Keep by-standers, children, and visitors away while operating a tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control.

•Keep floors dry and free of slippery materials such as oil. Slippery floors invite accidents.

Electrical Safety

•Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet, properly installed and grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the out- let is properly grounded. If the tool should electrical- ly malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user.

Cover of

grounded outlet box

Grounding Prong

•Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces. There is an increased risk of electrical shock if your body is grounded.

•Do not expose electrical tools to rain or wet con- ditions. Water entering a tool will increase the risk of electrical shock.

•Do not abuse cord. Never use the cord to pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electrical shock.

•When operating a tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked “W-A” or “W”. These cords are rated for outdoor use and reduce the risk of elec- trical shock.

•Use only three-wire extension cords which have three-prong grounding plugs and three-pole recep- tacles which accept the tool’s plug. Use of other extension cords will not ground the tool and increase the risk of electrical shock.

•Use proper extension cords. (See Chart) Insufficient conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop and loss of power.

Minimum Wire Gauge for Extension Cord

Nameplate			Total Length (in feet)
Amps			Total Length (in feet)
Amps

		0 – 25		26 – 50	51 – 100
0	– 6	18 AWG		16 AWG	16 AWG
6	– 10	18 AWG		16 AWG	14 AWG
10	– 12	16 AWG		16 AWG	14 AWG
12	– 16	14 AWG		12 AWG	NOT RECOMMENDED

•Keep all electric connections dry and off the ground. Do not touch plugs or tool with wet hands. Reduces the risk of electrical shock.

Personal Safety

•Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medications. A moment of inat- tention while operating power tools may result in seri- ous personal injury.

•Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry or long hair can be caught in moving parts.

•Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is off before plugging in. Plugging in tools that have the switch ON invites accidents.

•Remove adjusting keys or wrenches before turning the tool ON. A wrench or a key that is left attached to a rotating part of the tool may result in personal injury.

•Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and bal- ance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations.

•Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions.

2	Ridge Tool Company