Service; Additional Safety Instructions For The Chainsaw; Causes And Operator Prevention Of Kickback; Safety Recommendations For The Chainsaw - Black & Decker Chain Saw Manual

5. Service

a. Have your power tool serviced by a qualified repair
person using only identical replacement parts. This
will ensure that the safety of the power tool is maintained.

Additional safety instructions for the chainsaw

Keep all parts of the body away from the saw chain
when the chainsaw is operating. Before you start
the chainsaw, make sure the saw chain is not
contacting anything. A moment of inattention while
operating the chainsaw may cause entanglement of your
clothing or body with the chainsaw.
Always hold the chainsaw with your right hand on
the rear handle and your left hand on the front
handle. Holding the chainsaw with the reversed hand
configuration increases the risk of personal injury and
should never be done.
Wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Further
protective equipment for head, hands, legs and feet
is recommended. Adequate protective clothing will
reduce personal injury by flying debris or accidental contact
with the saw chain.
Do not operate a chainsaw in a tree. Operation of a
chainsaw while up in a tree may result in personal injury.
Always keep proper footing and operate the
chainsaw 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
chainsaw.
When cutting a limb that is under tension be alert for
spring back. When the tension in the wood fibres is
released the spring loaded limb may strike the operator
and/or throw the chainsaw out of control.
Use extreme caution when cutting brush and
saplings. The slender material may catch the saw chain
and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
Carry the chainsaw by the front handle with the
chainsaw switched off and away from your body.
When transporting or storing the chainsaw always
fit the guide bar cover. Proper handling of the chainsaw
will reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with the
moving saw chain.
Follow instructions for lubricating, chain tensioning
and changing accessories. Improperly tensioned or
lubricated chain may either break or increase the chance
for kickback.
Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and
grease. Greasy, oily handles are slippery causing loss of
control.
Cut wood only. Do not use chainsaw for purposes
not intended. For example: do not use the chainsaw
for cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood building
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materials. Use of the chainsaw for operations different
than intended could result in a hazardous situation.

Causes and operator prevention of kickback:

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 operator.
Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the
chainsaw which could result in serious personal injury. Do
not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your
chainsaw. As a chainsaw user, you should take several steps
to keep your cutting jobs free from accident or injury.
Kickback is the result of tool misuse and / or incorrect
operating procedures or conditions and can be avoided by
taking proper precautions as given below:
Maintain a firm grip, with thumbs and fingers
encircling the chainsaw handles. With both hands
on the chainsaw, position your body and arm to
allow you to resist kickback forces. Kickback forces
can be controlled by the operator, if proper precautions are
taken. Do not let go of the chainsaw.
Do not overreach and do not cut above shoulder
height. This helps prevent unintended tip contact and
enables better control of the chainsaw in unexpected
situations.
Only use replacement guide bars and chains
specified by the manufacturer. Incorrect replacement
guide bars and chains may cause chain breakage and/or
kickback.
Follow the manufacturer's sharpening and
maintenance instructions for the saw chain.
Decreasing the depth gauge height can lead to increased
kickback.

Safety recommendations for the chainsaw

We strongly recommend that first time users obtain
practical instruction in the use of the chainsaw and
protective equipment from an experienced user. Initial
practice should be completed sawing logs on a saw horse
or cradle.
We recommend that when carrying the chainsaw that you
make sure that the brake is engaged
Maintain your chainsaw when not in use. Do not store your
chainsaw for any length of time without first removing the
saw chain and guide bar which should be kept immersed in