Echo CS-355T Instruction Manual - Operator Safety

8

CS-361P

OPERATOR SAFETY

VIBRATION AND COLD

• ItisbelievedthataconditioncalledRaynaud’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 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. 

• Keepyourbodywarm,especiallytheheadand

neck, feet and ankles and hands and wrists. 

• Maintaingoodbloodcirculationbyperforming

vigorous arm exercises during frequent work 

breaks and also by not smoking. 

• Limitthenumberofhoursofoperation. 

Try to fill each day with jobs where operating the 

chain saw, or other hand-held power equipment 

is not required. 

• Ifyouexperiencediscomfortrednessand 

swelling of the fingers, followed by whitening 

and loss of feeling, consult your physician before 

further exposing yourself to cold and vibration.

REPETITIVE STRESS INJURY

• Itisbelievedthatover-usingthemusclesand

tendons of the finger, hands, arms and  

shoulders may cause soreness, swelling,  

numbness, weakness and extreme pain to the 

areas just mentioned.  

Certain repetitive hand activities may put you 

at a high risk for developing a repetitive stress 

injury (RSI). 

• AnextremeRSIconditionisCarpalTunnel

Syndrome (CTS) which could occur when your 

wrist swells and squeezes a vital nerve that runs 

through the area. Some believe that prolonged 

exposure to vibration may contribute to CTS.  

CTS can cause severe pain for months or even 

years. 

To reduce the risk of RSI/CTS, do the following:

• Avoidusingyourwristinabent,extendedor

twisted position. 

• Takeperiodicbreakstominimizerepetitionand

rest your hands. 

• Reducethespeedandforceinwhichyoudothe

repetitive movement. 

• Doexercisestostrengthenhandandarm

muscles.

• Seeadoctorifyoufeeltingling,numbnessor

pain in your fingers, hands, wrists or arms.  

The sooner RSI/CTS is diagnosed, the more 

likely permanent nerve and muscle damage can 

be prevented. 

EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION

• WeareyeprotectiongogglesthatmeetANSI 

Z 87.1 requirements.  

Goggles meeting the requirements have the 

mark “Z 87” stamped on them. 

• Wearhearingprotection. 

If this guideline is not followed, hearing loss can 

occur.  

ECHO recommends wearing hearing protection 

at all times. 

WEAR PROPER CLOTHING

• Snugfittingdurableclothingshouldbeworn. 

Pants should have long legs, do not wear shorts.  

Do not wear loose fitting clothing, scarves, 

neckties, jewelry or any item that may become 

tangled in surrounding growth or the chain saw 

itself. 

• Wearshoeswithnon-skidsoles. 

Do not wear open toed shoes or operate unit 

barefooted. 

• Wearno-slip,heavydutyworkglovestoimprove

your grip on the chain saw handles.  

The gloves also help reduce the transmission of 

machine vibration to your hands. 

HOT HUMID WEATHER

• Heavyprotectiveclothingcanincreaseoperator

fatigue which may lead to heat stroke.  

Schedule heavy work for early morning, or late 

afternoon hours when temperatures are cooler. 

AVOID HOT SURFACES

• Duringoperation,themufflerorcatalyticmuffler

and surrounding cover become hot. 

• Neversuspendthesawonalanyardwiththe 

engine running. 

• Alwaysusethesawfromtheright-handsideof

your body - 

never from the left side. 

• Alwayswearpropersafetyclothingtoprotect

your lower body from sharp saw chain and hot 

muffler. 

• Alwayskeepexhaustareaclearofflammable

debris during transportation or when storing, 

otherwise serious property damage or personal 

injury may result.