Stihl HTA 135 Owner's Instruction Manual page 17

6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ Working above shoulder height can be tiring. To reduce
the risk of injury from fatigue:
– Never hold the machine with your rear hand on the
control handle above shoulder height.
– Take frequent breaks.
￭ The hook is designed to provide greater control of the pole
pruner while cutting. If you work without the hook, the pole
pruner may pull you forward suddenly. This could cause
loss of control or, if the tip of the guide bar strikes an
object, kickback.
– Always work with the hook to maintain better control
of the pole pruner.
￭ Applying pressure to the pole pruner when reaching the
end of a cut may cause the bar and rotating chain to
accelerate out of the kerf, go out of control and strike
some other object. To reduce the risk of injury:
– Use caution when approaching the end of a cut.
– Never put pressure on the pole pruner when
reaching the end of a cut.
6.5.3 Working Conditions
WARNING
￭ Operate your pole pruner only under good visibility during
favorable daylight conditions.
– Postpone the work if the weather is windy, foggy,
rainy or inclement.
– Never cut near power lines.
￭ Your pole pruner is a one-person machine.
– Do not allow other persons in the general work area.
– Bystanders, especially children, and animals should
not be allowed in the area where it is in use.
– Switch off the motor immediately if you are
approached.
0458-698-8621-A
￭ To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders and
unauthorized users:
– Never leave the pole pruner unattended when the
battery is inserted.
– Switch off the pole pruner and remove the battery
during work breaks and any other time the pole
pruner is not in use.
￭ Sparks generated from the operation of the pole pruner
may be capable of igniting combustible gases, liquids,
vapors, dusts or other combustible materials and
substances. To reduce the risk of fire and explosion:
– Never operate the pole pruner in a location where
combustible gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or other
combustible materials and substances are present.
– Read and follow recommendations issued by
government authorities (e.g., OSHA) for identifying
and avoiding the hazards of combustible gases,
liquids, vapors, dusts or other combustible materials
and substances.
￭ If a rotating chain strikes a rock or other hard object,
sparks may be created, which can ignite flammable
materials under certain circumstances. Flammable
materials can include dry vegetation and brush,
particularly when weather conditions are hot and dry.
– When there is a risk of fire or wildfire, do not use your
pole pruner around flammable materials or around
dry vegetation or brush.
– Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest
Service if you have any question about whether
vegetation and weather conditions are suitable for
the use of a pole pruner.
￭ Using this pole pruner and sharpening its chain can
generate dust, oil mist and other substances containing
chemicals known to cause respiratory problems, cancer,
birth defects and other reproductive harm.
– Consult governmental agencies such as EPA,
OSHA, CARB and NIOSH and other authoritative
sources on hazardous materials if you are unfamiliar
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