OPERATORSAFETY
Raynaud's Syndrome
A condition known as Raynaud’s Syndrome can occur from exposure to cold and/or vibration. This condition affects the hands and arms, causing tingling, burning, numbness, and loss of color in the fingers. The amount of exposure needed to trigger this is unknown, and varies by individual.
To protect yourself from this condition, take the following precautions:
•Keep your body warm - pay particular attention to head and neck, hands and wrists, and feet and ankles.
•Avoid awkward grips on the unit that may cause stress. Maintain control, but do not hold the unit with an excessively tight grip.
•Take regular rest breaks.
•Exercise and stretch to strengthen muscles, and to maintain circulation. Keep exposure to vibration at a minimum.
•If you experience discomfort, redness, and/or swell- ing of the fingers, followed by whitening or loss of feeling, stop using the unit, and contact a doctor.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
Overuse of the muscles and tendons of the fingers hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling, numbness, weakness, and pain in these areas. Repetitive hand/wrist movement can put you at high risk for developing a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI), such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when swelling in the wrist puts pressure on a nerve, resulting in severe pain.
To protect yourself from these conditions, take the following precautions:
•Avoid using your wrist in a bent or twisted position. Try to maintain a straight wrist position.
•Avoid using your thumb and index finger to grip things - use your whole hand.
•Take regular rest breaks.
•Exercise and stretch to strengthen muscles and maintain circulation.
•Keep exposure to vibration at a minimum.
•Reduce the speed and force of repetitive move- ments.
•If you experience tingling, numbness, or pain in the fingers, hands, wrists, or arms, stop using the unit immediately, and contact a doctor. Early diagnosis of RSI can help prevent permanent nerve and muscle damage.
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