3
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
DANGER
READ AND UNDERSTAND TOOL LABELS AND
MANUAL. Failure to follow warnings could result
in DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WORK AREA
n Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered
benches and dark areas invite accidents.
n Do not operate power tools in explosive atmospheres,
such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases,
or dust. Power tools create sparks which may ignite the
dust or fumes.
n Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while
operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to
lose control.
PERSONAL SAFETY
n Eye protection which conforms to ANSI specifications
and provides protection against flying particles both
from the FRONT and SIDE should ALWAYS be worn
by the operator and others in the work area when
loading, operating or servicing this tool. Eye protection
is required to guard against flying fasteners and debris,
which could cause severe eye injury.
n The employer and/or user must ensure that proper
eye protection is worn. We recommend Wide Vision
Safety Mask for use over eyeglasses or standard safety
glasses that provide protection against flying particles
both from the front and side. Always use eye protection
which is marked to comply with ANSI Z87.1.
n Additional safety protection will be required in some
environments. For example, the working area may in-
clude exposure to noise level which can lead to hearing
damage. The employer and user must ensure that any
necessary hearing protection is provided and used by the
operator and others in the work area. Some environments
will require the use of head protection equipment. When
required, the employer and user must ensure that head
protection conforming to ANSI Z89.1-1997 is used.
n Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common
sense when operating a power tool. Do not use tool
while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol,
or medication. A moment of inattention while operating
power tools may result in serious personal injury.
n Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry.
Contain long hair. Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves
away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long
hair can be caught in moving parts.
n
Keep fingers away from trigger when not driving fasten-
ers to avoid accidental firing.
n Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance
at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better
control of the tool in unexpected situations.
n Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection.
Dust mask, nonskid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing
protection must be used for appropriate conditions.
n Do not use on a ladder or unstable support. Stable
footing on a solid surface enables better control of the
tool in unexpected situations.
TOOL USE AND CARE
n Do not force tool. Use the correct tool for your
application. The correct tool will do the job better and
safer at the rate for which it is designed.
n Do not use tool if trigger does not actuate properly.
Any tool that cannot be controlled with the trigger is
dangerous and must be repaired.
n Check operation of the workpiece contact mechanism
frequently. Do not use the tool if the workpiece contact
mechanism is not working correctly as accidental driving
of a fastener may result. Do not interfere with the proper
operation of the workpiece contact mechanism.
n Store idle tools out of the reach of children and other
untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the hands of
untrained users.
n Maintain tools with care. Follow maintenance instruc-
tions. Properly maintained tools are easier to control.
n Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts,
breakage of parts, and any other condition that may
affect the tool’s operation. If damaged, have the tool
serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by
poorly maintained tools.
n Use only fasteners that are recommended for your
model.
n Keep the tool and its handle dry, clean and free from
oil and grease. Always use a clean cloth when clean-
ing. Never use brake fluids, gasoline, petroleum-based
products, or any strong solvents to clean your tool. Fol-
lowing this rule will reduce the risk of loss of control and
deterioration of the enclosure plastic.
SERVICE
n Tool service must be performed only by qualified re-
pair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by
unqualified personnel may result in a risk of injury.
n When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement
parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance sec-
tion of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure
to follow Maintenance instructions may create a risk of
injury.
