Never place the tool down until the bit or
l.
accessory has come to a complete stop.
m. Do not use dull or damaged bits and acces-
sories. Dull or damaged bits have a greater
tendency to bind in the workpiece.
n. When removing the bit from the tool avoid
contact with skin and use proper protective
gloves when grasping the bit or accessory.
Accessories may be hot after prolonged use.
o. Do not run the tool while carrying it at your
side. A spinning bit could become entangled
with clothing and injury may result.
GFCI and personal protection devices like elec-
trician's rubber gloves and footwear will further
enhance your personal safety.
Develop a periodic maintenance schedule for
your tool. When cleaning a tool be careful not
to disassemble any portion of the tool since
internal wires may be misplaced or pinched or
safety guard return springs may be improperly
mounted. Certain cleaning agents such as gaso-
line, carbon tetrachloride, ammonia, etc. may
damage plastic parts.
2610070434 GBH18V-40C 202205.indd 5
Safety Rules for Rotary Hammers
Additional Safety Warnings
Safety instructions when using
long drill bits with rotary hammers
a. Always start drilling at low speed and with
the bit tip in contact with the workpiece.
At higher speeds, the bit is likely to bend if
allowed to rotate freely without contacting
the workpiece, resulting in personal injury.
b. Apply pressure only in direct line with the
bit and do not apply excessive pressure.
Bits can bend causing breakage or loss of
control, resulting in personal injury.
c. Never operate at higher speed than the
maximum speed rating of the drill bit. At
higher speeds, the bit is likely to bend if al-
lowed to rotate freely without contacting the
workpiece, resulting in personal injury.
Some dust created by power
sanding, sawing, grinding,
drilling, and other construction activities con-
tains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm. Some ex-
amples of these chemicals are:
• Lead from lead-based paints,
• Crystalline silica from bricks and cement
and other masonry products, and
• Arsenic and chromium from chemically-
treated lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depend-
ing on how often you do this type of work. To
reduce your exposure to these chemicals: work
in a well ventilated area, and work with ap-
proved safety equipment, such as those dust
masks that are specially designed to filter out
microscopic particles.
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