Personal Protective Equipment - Stihl MS 261 Instruction Manual

5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ STIHL chain saws are equipped with an anti-vibration
("AV") system designed to reduce the transmission of
vibration from the saw to the operator's hands. To reduce
the risk of white finger disease and carpal tunnel
syndrome:
– Wear gloves while working and keep your hands
warm.
– Keep the chain saw and its AV system well
maintained. A chain saw with loose components or
with damaged or worn AV elements will tend to have
higher vibration levels.
– Keep the saw chain sharp. A dull chain will increase
cutting time, and pressing a dull chain through wood
will increase the vibration transmitted to your hands.
– Maintain a firm grip at all times, but do not squeeze
the handles with constant, excessive pressure. Take
frequent breaks.
￭ These precautions do not guarantee that you will not
sustain white finger disease or carpal tunnel syndrome.
– Closely monitor the condition of your hands and
fingers if you are a regular operator.
– Seek medical advice immediately if any of the above
symptoms appear.
￭ The ignition system of this machine produces an
electromagnetic field of a very low intensity. This field may
interfere with some pacemakers or implanted medical
devices. To reduce the risk of injury:
– Persons with a pacemaker or other implanted
medical device should consult their physician and
the device manufacturer before operating this chain
saw.
0458-573-8621-C
5.3

Personal Protective Equipment

WARNING
￭ To reduce the risk of personal injury:
– Always wear proper clothing and protective apparel,
including proper eye protection.
￭ Loss of control and severe cut injuries may result if hair,
clothing or apparel make contact with the moving saw
chain or otherwise become entangled in the components
of the saw. To reduce the risk of severe personal injury:
– Wear sturdy and snug-fitting clothing that
also allows complete freedom of
movement.
– Wear the type of overalls, long pants or
chaps that contain pads of cut-retardant
material.
– Wear a long-sleeve shirt or jacket.
– Avoid loose-fitting jackets, scarves, neckties, flared
or cuffed pants, jewelry and any other apparel that
could be caught on branches, brush or the moving
chain.
– Secure hair above shoulder level before starting
work.
￭ To reduce the risk of eye injury:
– Always wear goggles or close-fitting
protective glasses with adequate top and
side protection that are impact-rated and
marked as complying with ANSI Z87 "+".
– To reduce the risk of injury to your face, STIHL
recommends that you also wear a face shield or face
screen over your goggles or protective glasses.
￭ To reduce the risk of head injury from falling branches or
other objects encountered during work:
– Wear an approved protective helmet.
￭ Prolonged exposure to power tool noise may result in
permanent hearing damage. To reduce the risk of hearing
damage:
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