Stihl MSA 220.0 T Instruction Manual page 9

5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
■ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries to
the operator or bystanders from loss of con‐
trol:
► Avoid contacting any object with the
upper quadrant of the tip of the guide
bar. It may cause kickback to occur.
► Always hold the chain saw firmly
with both hands when you are work‐
ing. One-handed operation increa‐
ses the risk of injury. It makes it diffi‐
cult to control reactive forces and to
prevent the bar and chain from skat‐
ing or bouncing along the limb or log.
► Even for those compact chain saws
designed for use in confined spaces,
one-handed operation increases the
risk that the operator may lose con‐
trol.
► Place your left hand on the front handle and
your right hand on the control handle (see
illustration). Left-handers must follow these
instructions too.
► Wrap your fingers tightly around the han‐
dles, keeping the handles cradled between
your thumb and forefinger.
► Keep all parts of your body clear of the cut‐
ting attachment whenever the battery is
inserted. Stand to the left of the cut while
cutting, outside of the cutting plane.
► Read and follow all warnings and instruc‐
tions in the chapter Kickback and Other
Reactive Forces,
■ Operating the chain saw with one hand is
extremely dangerous. One-handed operation
makes it difficult to oppose and absorb reac‐
tive forces (pushback, pull-in, kickback) with‐
out losing control of the chain saw. It also
makes it difficult to prevent the bar and chain
from skating or bouncing along a limb or log.
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury to
the operator or bystanders from loss of con‐
trol:
► Never attempt to operate the chain
saw with one hand.
► Even for those compact chain saws
designed for use in confined spaces,
one-handed operation increases the
risk that the operator may lose con‐
trol.
► Keep your body clear of the cutting attach‐
ment whenever the saw is in operation.
Position yourself to the left of the cut while
bucking.
► Never work in a tree unless you have
received specific, professional training for
such work, are properly secured (with a
tack and harness system, lift bucket or
0458-007-8201-B
6.
other appropriate means), have both hands
free for operating the chain saw in a cram‐
ped environment and have taken proper
precautions to avoid injury from falling limbs
or branches.
► The use of climbing aids such as spikes or
climbing irons also requires special training.
Always secure the chain saw with a rope
(tied to hinged carrying ring) and attach it to
a lifeline. Cordon off the work area in order
to reduce the risk of injuries and damage to
bystanders or property (e.g., motor vehi‐
cles) from falling branches.
► When securing the chain saw to your belt or
transporting it with ropes, always use the
hinged carrying ring on the rear of the saw's
housing, 21.1.
■ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal cut inju‐
ries to the operator or bystanders from loss of
control, keep proper footing and balance at all
times:
► Take special care in overgrown or wet ter‐
rain and always watch for hidden obstacles
such as tree stumps, roots, rocks, holes
and ditches to avoid stumbling.
► Be extremely cautious when working on
slopes or uneven ground.
► For better footing, always clear away fallen
branches, scrub and cuttings. Freshly
debarked logs and other material can
increase the danger of slipping, tripping or
falling.
► 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 posi‐
tion in the tree.
■ To reduce the risk of injury from loss of con‐
trol:
► Never work on a ladder, roof or while
standing on any other insecure sup‐
port.
► Never operate the chain saw above
shoulder height.
English
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