9
injury and should never be done.
3. Hold the power tool by insulated 
gripping surfaces only, because the 
saw chain may contact hidden wiring 
or its own cord. Saw chains contacting 
a live wire may make exposed metal parts 
of the power tool live and could give the 
operator an electric shock.
4. 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.
5. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree. 
Operation of a chain saw while up in a tree 
may result in personal injury.
6. Always keep proper footing and 
operate the chain saw 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 chain saw.
7. When cutting a limb that is under 
tension be alert for spring back. When 
the tension in the wood fibers is released the 
spring loaded limb may strike the operator 
and/or throw the chain saw out of control.
8. 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.
9. Carry the chain saw by the front 
handle with the chain saw switched 
off and away from your body. When 
transporting or storing the chain saw 
always apply the guide bar cover. 
Proper handling of the chain saw will 
reduce the likelihood of accidental contact 
with the moving saw chain.
10.Follow instructions for lubricating, 
chain tensioning and changing 
accessories. Improperly tensioned 
or lubricated chain may either break or 
increase the chance for kickback.
11.Keep handles dry, clean, and free from 
oil and grease. Greasy, oily handles 
are slippery causing loss of control.
12.
 Cut wood only. Do not use chain 
saw for purposes not intended. For 
example: do not use chain saw for 
cutting plastic, masonry or non-wood 
building materials. Use of the chain saw 
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 saw which could result in 
serious personal injury. Do not rely exclusively 
upon the safety devices built into your saw. 
As a chain saw 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 chain saw 
handles, with both hands on the saw 
and 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 chain saw.
-  Do not overreach and do not cut 
above shoulder height. This helps 
prevent unintended tip contact and 
enables better control of the chain saw in 
unexpected situations.
-  Only use replacement bars and 
chains specified by the manufacturer. 
Incorrect replacement 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.