4

Physical Condition

Your judgment and physical dexterity may not be good:

•if you are tired or sick,

•if you are taking medication,

•if you have taken alcohol or drugs.

Operate unit only if you are physically and mentally well.

Eye Protection

Wear eye protection that meets ANSI Z87.1 or CE requirements whenever you operate the unit.

Hand Protection

Wear no-slip, heavy-duty work gloves to improve your grip on the handle. Gloves also reduce the transmission of machine vibration to your hands.

Hearing Protection

ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection whenever unit is used.

Proper Clothing

Wear snug fitting, durable clothing;

•Pants should have long legs, shirts with long sleeves.

•DO NOT WEAR SHORTS,

•DO NOT WEAR TIES, SCARFS, JEWELRY.

Wear sturdy work shoes with nonskid soles;

•DO NOT WEAR OPEN TOED SHOES,

•DO NOT OPERATE UNIT BAREFOOTED.

Keep long hair away from engine and air intake. Retain hair with cap or net.

Hot Humid Weather

Heavy protective clothing can increase operator fatigue which may lead to heat stroke. Schedule heavy work for early morning or late afternoon hours when temperatures are cooler.

Extended Operation/Extreme Conditions

It is believed that a condition called Raynaud’s Phenomenon, which affects the fingers of certain individuals, may be brought about by exposure to vibration and cold. Exposure to vibration and cold may cause tingling and burning sensa- tions, followed by loss of color and numbness in the fingers. The following precautions are strongly recommended, because the minimum exposure, which might trigger the ailment, is unknown.

•Keep your body warm, especially the head, neck, feet, ankles, hands, and wrists.

•Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous arm exer- cises during frequent work breaks, and also by not smoking.

•Limit the hours of operation. Try to fill each day with jobs where op- erating the unit or other hand-held power equipment is not required.

•If you experience discomfort, redness, and swelling of the fingers fol- lowed by whitening and loss of feeling, consult your physician before further exposing yourself to cold and vibration.