Poulan ES400 User Manual - Page 2

SAFETY RULES WARNING: When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety pre- cautions must always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and serious injury. Read and follow all instructions. WARNING: Always disconnect power source when making repairs, adjustments, and when changing accesso- ries and attachments such as saw bar, chain or guards. Because a chain saw is a high-speed woodcutting tool, special precautions must be observed to reduce risk of accidents. Careless or improper use of this tool can cause serious injury. PLAN AHEAD S Restrict the use of your saw to adult us- ers who understand and can follow the safety rules, precautions, and operating instructions found in this manual. S Dress properly. Wear protective gear. Always use steel-toed safety footwear with non-slip soles; snug-fitting clothing; heavy-duty, non-slip gloves; eye protection such as non-fogging, vented goggles or face screen; an approved safety hard hat; and sound barriers (ear plugs or mufflers) to protect your hearing. Regular users should have hearing checked regularly as chain saw noise can damage hearing. Hearing Protection Snug Fitting Clothing Safety Hat Eye Protection Heavy Duty Gloves Safety Shoes Safety Chaps S Secure hair above shoulder length. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry; they can get caught in moving parts. S Keep all parts of your body away from the chain when saw is running. S Keep children away. Do not let visitors contact chain saw or extension cord. All visitors should be kept at least 30 feet (10 meters) away from work area. S Do not handle or operate a chain saw when you are fatigued, ill, upset, or if you have taken alcohol, drugs, or medica- tion. You must be in good physical condition and mentally alert. If you have any condition that might be aggravated by strenuous work, check with doctor before operating. Watch what you are doing. Use common sense. S Do not start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and especially if you are felling a tree, a retreat path. Keep work area clean. OPERATE YOUR SAW SAFELY S Do not operate with one hand. Serious injury to the operator, helpers, or bystanders may result from one-handed operation. A chain saw is intended for two-handed use. S Do not operate saw from a ladder or in a tree. S Make sure the chain will not make contact with any object while starting the saw. Never start the saw when the guide bar is in a cut. S Do not force chain saw. It will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it was intended. S Do not put pressure on the saw, especially at the end of the cut. Doing so can cause you to lose control when the cut is completed. S Stop the saw before setting it down. S Hand carry saw only when motor is stopped. Carry the chain saw by the front handle with the saw stopped, finger off the switch, the guide bar and saw chain to the rear. S Use the right tool, cut wood only. Don't use chain saw for purpose not intended; for example, don't use chain saw for cutting plastic, masonry, non-wood building materials. S Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Always replace bar, chain, hand guard, or other parts immediately if they become damaged, broken, or are otherwise removed. S Inspect chain saw cords periodically and if damaged, have repaired by an authorized service dealer. MAINTAIN YOUR SAW IN GOOD WORKING ORDER S Have all chain saw service performed by an authorized service dealer except the items listed in the MAINTENANCE section of this manual. S Make certain saw chain stops moving when trigger switch is released. 2