Product Safety Guidance
Hyundai Power Products Machinery and General Safety Information
This page provides general safety guidance for Hyundai Power Products machinery and engine-driven equipment. Always read your product manual before use and follow all instructions, warnings, and maintenance guidance.
If you are ever unsure, stop using the machine and seek advice from a qualified professional.
Portable Generators and Engine-Driven Machinery Dangers
Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote power is needed, but they can also be hazardous if used incorrectly.
The main risks include:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (petrol engines)
- Electric shock or electrocution
- Fire and explosion
Every year, serious incidents occur involving portable generators, most commonly due to carbon monoxide exposure in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
Carbon Monoxide Hazards
Never use a generator or petrol engine machine in an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
Generators can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, so you may be exposed even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes.
If you feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator:
- Get to fresh air immediately
- Do not delay
- Seek urgent medical attention if symptoms are severe
- Tell medical staff that carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected
If symptoms occurred indoors, ask someone to contact the fire brigade before re-entering the building.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Guidance
- Never use a generator indoors, including homes, garages, cellars, sheds, tents, cabins, boats, or other enclosed/partially enclosed spaces
- Opening doors, windows, or using fans will not prevent CO build-up
- Always place the unit outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents
- Follow all instructions supplied with the generator
- Install CO alarms (battery or plug-in with battery backup) where appropriate
- Test CO alarms regularly and replace batteries when needed
- Do not use exhaust extensions, as they can strain the exhaust system and increase the risk of failure and CO entering occupied areas
LPG Converted Generators
LPG-converted generators should be installed and approved by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
There are limited exceptions in certain applications (for example some touring caravans and some vessels), but we strongly recommend that all installations are inspected and approved by a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
Link to include:
Electrical Hazards
Follow these safety precautions to reduce the risk of shock or electrocution:
- Keep the generator dry and do not use it in rain or wet conditions
- Operate on a dry surface under an open canopy-style shelter
- Dry your hands before touching the generator
- Plug appliances directly into the generator where possible
- If using an extension lead, use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated cable correctly rated for the load
- Check cables for cuts, damage, and missing grounding pins before use
Never Back-Feed a Generator
Never connect a generator to house wiring by plugging it into a wall socket.
This dangerous practice (back-feeding):
- Puts utility workers at serious risk
- Can energise circuits unexpectedly
- Bypasses household safety protections
- Can result in fatal electric shock
If you want to connect a generator to your property, it must be done correctly by a qualified electrician using the correct transfer equipment.
Fire and Explosion Hazards
Follow these precautions to reduce fire and explosion risk:
- Never store fuel inside the home
- Store petrol, diesel, and other fuels in approved, clearly labelled, non-glass safety containers
- Keep fuel away from boilers, water heaters, pilot lights, and electrical switches
- Turn the generator off and allow it to cool before refuelling
- Do not use petrol or LPG generators on boats unless specifically designed and installed for that purpose
- Never use a portable generator in a moving vehicle
Petrol vapour and LPG gas are heavier than air and can collect in low areas. Even a small spark may cause ignition.
Connecting a Generator to Your House
As a general guide, only a 5kW (or larger) generator should be considered for connection to premises.
When using a generator as an alternative supply to mains power, the generator must be fully isolated from the mains supply. This is essential to:
- Protect utility workers
- Prevent dangerous back-feed
- Ensure safe operation of the property electrical system
Important Installation Requirements
A qualified electrician should install:
- A double-pole, break-before-make changeover switch
- Correctly rated switching equipment for your installation
- Appropriate earthing arrangements
- A suitable connection cable (steel armoured cable is often recommended)
- A local low-impedance earth spike (where required)
Most buildings use RCD protection configured for mains supply. A generator installation may require additional configuration to ensure protection devices work correctly.
All generators supplied include breaker switch or overload protection, but these may not trip under slight overload conditions. Care must still be taken not to overload the generator, as serious damage may occur.
Electrical Contractor Guidance
Links to include:
NICEIC approved contractor finder
Pressure Washers
Petrol and diesel pressure washers produce a very high-pressure jet that can cause serious injury.
Safety Guidance
- Never point the jet at a person
- Always wear appropriate PPE, including face and eye protection
- Never use an engine-driven pressure washer in an enclosed area (CO risk)
- Take care around hot exhaust components
- For electric pressure washers, inspect all electrical connections before use
- Keep leads and connections dry
- We recommend using an RCD plug for electric pressure washers to help reduce electric shock risk
Wood Chippers
When operating a wood chipper, always follow safe working practices.
Safety Guidance
- Never run a petrol engine indoors or in a confined space
- Always wear full PPE:
- Gloves
- Helmet to EN397
- Face shield to EN1731
- Ear defenders to EN352
- Safety boots to EN345-1
- Heavy-duty work trousers and jacket
- Do not wear loose clothing
- Never reach inside the machine
- Do not touch hot exhaust or engine parts
- Keep belts and blades correctly adjusted and maintained
- Never feed material into the exit chute
- Check material for wire, rope, or foreign objects before feeding
- Keep people and pets at least 6 metres away during operation
Link to include:
HSE wood chipper safety guidance
Log Splitters
Safety Guidance
- Never run a petrol engine indoors or in a confined space
- Always wear suitable PPE (gloves, face shield, goggles, heavy-duty workwear)
- Keep both hands on the operating levers
- Keep feet clear of the splitting area
- Do not touch hot exhaust or engine parts
Welders
Safety Guidance
- Always wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, face protection, and heavy-duty clothing
- Recent HSE guidance recommends using an approved air-fed welding helmet
- Welding equipment should only be used by experienced and competent operators
Top-Handled Chainsaws
Top-handled chainsaws are designed for tree service work and should only be used by trained and competent operators.
The minimum standard of competence is set out in the relevant Approved Code of Practice and PUWER guidance.
Professional Use and Competence
Anyone purchasing a top-handled chainsaw for professional use (working at height/in trees) should hold the relevant Certificates of Competence, such as:
- CS30 – Chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting
- CS31 – Felling small trees
- CS32 – Felling and processing trees over 380mm
- CS38 – Tree climbing and aerial rescue
- CS39 – Chainsaw operation from rope and harness
As a seller, it is advisable to check and record proof of certification.
Chainsaw operators (employed and self-employed) must receive adequate training relevant to the type of work they carry out.
Chainsaw PPE Requirements
Operators must wear appropriate chainsaw protective clothing, including (where applicable):
- Safety helmet
- Hearing protection
- Eye protection / mesh visor
- Upper body protection / chainsaw jacket
- Gloves
- Leg protection
- Chainsaw boots
When working in trees, suitable climbing harnesses and ropes must also be used.
Chainsaws are potentially dangerous machines and can cause fatal or life-changing injuries if used incorrectly. Proper training, PPE, and safe working practices are essential.
Link to include:
HSE chainsaw operator guidance
Suggested Further Reading
Top-handled Chainsaws (AFAG308)
Tree-climbing Operations (AFAG401)
Safety Signs and Signals (L64)
Noise: Don’t Lose Your Hearing! (INDG363)
Final Safety Reminder
Do not take risks when operating powered machinery.
If in doubt, stop using the machine and get professional advice before continuing.
