Echo 225 Blower User Manual


 
99944200490 SAFETY
© 3/2015 ECHO Inc.
X7702095404 7
It is believed that a condition called Raynaud’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 sensations, 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.
Keep your body warm, especially the head, neck, feet, ankles,
hands, and wrists.
Maintain good blood circulation by performing vigorous arm
exercises during frequent work breaks, and also by not
smoking.
Limit the hours of operation. Try to fill each day with jobs
where operating the unit or other hand-held power equipment
is not required.
If you experience discomfort, redness, and swelling of the
fingers followed by whitening and loss of feeling, consult your physician before further exposing yourself to
cold and vibration.
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
It is believed that overusing the muscles and tendons of the fingers,
hands, arms, and shoulders may cause soreness, swelling,
numbness, weakness, and extreme pain in those areas. Certain
repetitive hand activities may put you at a high risk for developing a
Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI). An extreme RSI condition is Carpal
Tunnel 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:
Avoid using your wrist in a bent, extended, or twisted position.
Instead try to maintain a straight wrist position. Also, when
grasping, use your whole hand, not just the thumb and index finger.
Take periodic breaks to minimize repetition and rest your hands.
Reduce the speed and force with which you do the repetitive movement.
Do exercise to strengthen the hand and arm muscles.
Immediately stop using all power equipment and consult a doctor if you feel tingling, numbness, or pain in
the fingers, hands, wrists, or arms. The sooner RSI/CTS is diagnosed, the more likely permanent nerve
and muscle damage can be prevented.
All over head electrical conductors and communications wires can have electricity flow with high
voltages. This unit is not insulated against electrical current. Never touch wires directly or indirectly,
otherwise serious injury or death may result.