Health & Safety Guidelines

Certain products within our DIY & Tools offering have properties that make them potentially unsafe if misused . You must, upon receipt of any product from our DIY & Tools offering, read carefully any safety warnings and follow clearly any guidelines on how to use the product. If you are in any doubt about the use of the product, the meaning of any warnings, or whether your intended use of the product is safe, we urge you to contact the manufacturer for clarification prior to use. Amazon.co.uk will not be held responsible for any negligent use or misuse of products purchased from our DIY & Tools shop. Nothing in these guidelines should be thought to supersede, or to alter, or to take precedence over manufacturers' instructions. If no instructions are issued and you have a query about how to use the product you are purchasing, we request that you consult the manufacturer.

Some examples of product categories where safety precautions may be appropriate are listed below, for information purposes only.

Manufactured goods falling into these categories will have appropriate labelling, warning information and advice on treatment should accidents occur. Hazardous substances are graded "irritant", "corrosive", "harmful", "toxic" or "poison".

Certain products may produce fumes, mist or vapour. Before using any product that may produce fumes, mist or vapour a suitable risk assessment must be carried out and necessary precautions taken. Typical precautions will include (but are not limited to) ensuring appropriate ventilation in the work area and the wearing of suitable protective clothing, such as dust-filtering masks or charcoal-based vapour filters.

Tools can be dangerous if incorrectly used or abused. You must ensure that, when using tools, you take practical precautions to avoid accidents, including the following:

· keep tools securely held and ensure that when working with tools the operator has a good firm foothold, is well balanced and the floor is clean
· always use the right tool for the job. Only use tools for the purpose for which they were designed. Always use the right size tool
· when using a cutting tool, such as a saw, take particular care to ensure that the workpiece is held in a vice or clamp
· keep your free hand well away from the cutting edge of the tool
· always keep cutting tools guarded when not in use, or when being transported
· always be careful with any striking tool to use the appropriate tool for the job. For example, only using a club hammer to drive cold chisels and only using a mallet to drive wood chisels
· protect your body from the tool and, where relevant, from any flying shards or chips produced by using the tool
· use protective eyegear

A standard electric motor is designed for one voltage only. Always check that the power supply corresponds to the voltage on the rating plate. Do not attempt to operate a 115-volt motor on a 240-volt supply or vice versa.

If an extension cable is required, use an approved extension cable suitable for the power input of the machine. When using a cable reel, always unwind the cable completely.

Ensure any plug is fitted correctly. If in doubt ask a qualified electrician to do it for you. Ensure that the correctly rated fuse is fitted to the plug to suit the power tool or appliance being used.

Never use an electric tool without ensuring that you have read the instructions issued by the manufacturer. If they are missing, ask the manufacturer to supply them to you before you begin using the tool.

When using an electrical tool (particularly outdoors) use a residual current device (circuit breaker or RCD) for enhanced protection.

· store in a cool place out of direct light
· never puncture a container
· never incinerate a container either when full or empty
· follow maker's instructions written on the container
· do not smoke or use near any source of ignition

There are hazards with most cleaning agents. Some cleaning agents may cause severe hand complaints. Others are flammable and many can become toxic under certain circumstances. You must follow carefully the instructions provided with cleaning agents and check if gloves are applicable.

· do not use in confined spaces
· always wear a mask or respirator
· never mix two different cleaning agents or solvents together
· do not smoke or use near any source of ignition

· do not look directly into a laser beam
· users should take care to ensure the beam does not point directly into people's or animals' eyes when the equipment is on