1. Never operate a chain saw when you are fatigued, ill, or upset, or under the influence of medication that may make you drowsy, or if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
2. Use safety footwear, snug fitting clothing and eye, hearing and head protection devices.
3. Always use caution when handling fuel. Wipe up all spills and then move the chain saw at least ten(10) feet(three(3) m) from the fueling point before starting the engine.
(3a) Eliminate all sources of sparks or flame (ie. smoking, open flames, or work that can cause sparks) in the areas where fuel is mixed, poured, or stored.
(3b)Do not smoke while handling fuel or while operating the chain saw.
4. Do not allow other persons to be near the chain saw when starting the engine or cutting a wood. Keep bystanders and animals out of the work area. Children, pets, and bystanders should be a minimum of thirty(30) feet away when you start or operate the chain saw.
5. Never start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and planned retreat path from the falling tree.
6. Always hold the chain saw firmly with both hands when the engine is running. Use a firm grip with thumb and fingers encircling the chain saw handles.
7. Keep all parts of your body away from the saw chain when the engine is running.
8. Before you start the engine, make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything.
9. Always carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from your body.
10. Always inspect the chain saw before each use for worn, Ioose, or changed parts. Never operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or is not completely and securely assembled. Be sure that the saw chain stops moving when the throttle control trigger is released.
11. All chain saw service, other than the items listed in the Operator’s Manual, should be performed by competent chain saw service personnel. (e.g., if improper tools are used to remove the flywheel, or if an improper tool is used to hold the flywheel in order to remove the clutch, structural damage to the flywheel could occur which could subsequently cause the flywheel to disintegrate).
12. Always shut off the engine before setting it down.
13. Use extreme caution when cutting small size brush and saplings because slender material may catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
14. When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for spring back so that you will not be struck when the tension in the wood fibers is released.
15. Keep the handles dry, clean and free of oil or fuel mixture.
16. Operate the chain saw only in well ventilated areas. Never start or run the engine inside a closed room or building. Exhaust fumes contain dangerous carbon monoxide.
17. Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless specially trained to do so.
18. Guard against kickback. Kickback is the upward motion of the guide bar which occurs when the saw chain at the nose of the guide bar contacts an object. Kickback can lead to dangerous loss of control of the chain saw.