Stihl MSA 161 T Instruction Manual page 15

5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
– Use extreme caution when cutting small-size brush,
branches and saplings because slender material
may catch the chain and spring toward you or pull
you off balance.
￭ To reduce the risk of falling:
– Keep rotating chain well clear of harness and
lifelines to prevent them being severed. It is
essential to use a double lifeline.
– Check condition of harness, belts and ropes before
each use.
– Always pull the saw out of the cut with the chain
running.
– After finishing a cut, activate the chain brake to lock
the chain and switch off the saw before moving the
saw to another position in the tree.
￭ To reduce the risk of injury from loss of control:
– Never work on a ladder, roof or while
standing on any other insecure support.
– Never operate the chain saw above
shoulder height.
– Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance
at all times.
– Never switch on the chain saw when the guide bar is
in a cut or kerf. Doing so could lead to reactive forces
and injury. Instead, remove the guide bar from the
cut and re-enter at full speed, taking care to avoid
contacting any object with the tip of the guide bar.
0458-791-8221-C
￭ The bumper spike is designed to provide greater control
of the chain saw while cutting. If you work without the
bumper spike, the chain saw 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 bumper spike to maintain
better control of the saw.
￭ Applying pressure to the chain saw 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 the operator or
some other object. To reduce the risk of injury:
– Use caution when approaching the end of a cut.
– Never put pressure on the chain saw when reaching
the end of a cut.
5.5.3 Working Conditions
WARNING
￭ Operate your chain saw 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 chain saw 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.
￭ To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders and
unauthorized users:
– Never leave the chain saw unattended when the
battery is inserted.
– Switch off the chain saw, engage the chain brake
and remove the battery during work breaks and any
other time the chain saw is not in use.
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