Main hazards

• Cuts and pinches from rapid blade retraction and at the entry slot.
• Injuries or scratches from the end hook (with or without magnet).
• Eye or facial injuries from blade whip if it comes loose or breaks.
• Trips and falls if the tape is left extended across walkways.
• Damage to delicate surfaces when hooking or dragging the hook.
• Electrical hazard if the metal blade contacts live cables or energised equipment.
• Blade breakage due to kinks, rust or forced use, with possible sudden snap-back.
• Loss of control when measuring on ladders or at height.

Safe use

• Check before use: blade free of kinks and rust, legible markings, secure hook and rivets, and operating return and lock mechanisms.
• Extend and retract while holding the blade to control the speed; do not allow it to snap back.
• Keep fingers away from the entry slot and the lock button during retraction.
• Align the tape without twists and avoid exceeding its nominal length; do not force tight bends.
• Secure the hook gently and avoid dragging it across surfaces that could be scratched.
• Do not measure moving parts or near saws, fans or other moving components.
• In environments with potential electrical risk, avoid contact with live parts and opt for non-conductive tapes where appropriate.
• Mark or clear the walkway if the tape crosses pedestrian routes.
• When working at height, use stable support and keep your body out of the line of recoil.

Storage and maintenance

• Clean the blade after each use and dry it if wet to prevent corrosion and mould.
• Retract fully and store with the lock released to avoid fatiguing the mechanism.
• Keep in a case or box, protected from impacts, dust and moisture.
• Avoid extreme heat, prolonged direct sunlight and contact with solvents or harsh chemicals.
• Remove metal filings or particles adhering to the hook (especially if it is magnetic).
• Periodically check the hook’s looseness and the legibility of the scale; replace if there is wear or deformation that affects the reading.
• For long open tapes or fibre tapes, allow them to dry while extended if wet and wind them without tension once dry.

Restrictions on use

• Not a toy; keep out of reach of children. Use by minors only under adult supervision.
• Do not use as a rope, strap, tie-down, lever, or for lifting or dragging loads.
• Do not use metal-bladed tapes near live electrical sources.
• Do not trigger retraction while pointing at your face or other people.
• Do not modify the hook, the magnet, or the return and lock mechanism.
• Do not use if the auto-return or the lock fails, or if the blade shows cracks, cuts or pronounced kinks.
• Do not force beyond the maximum length or use the lock as a brake to stop retraction.