Stihl HSA 45 Instruction Manual page 15

6 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal cut injuries to the
operator or bystanders from loss of control, keep proper
footing and balance at all times:
– Do not work in wet grass or terrain.
– Take special care in overgrown terrain 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, cuttings and other material, objects
or vegetation that can increase the danger of
slipping, tripping or falling.
￭ To reduce the risk of injury from loss of control:
– Never work on a ladder, on a roof, in a tree or while
standing on any other insecure support.
– Never operate the hedge trimmer above shoulder
height.
– Do not overreach.
￭ To reduce the risk of serious or fatal cut injuries to the
operator or bystanders from blade contact:
– Keep hands, feet and other body parts
away from the cutting blades.
– Do not touch the cutting blades while the activation
key is inserted.
– Never touch moving cutting blades with your hand or
any other part of your body.
– If the cutting blades become jammed by
thick branches or other obstructions,
release the trigger switch, trigger switch
lockout and switch lever immediately and
remove the activation key before
attempting to free the blades.
0458-717-8621-A
6.6.3 Working Conditions
WARNING
￭ Operate your hedge trimmer only under good visibility
during favorable daylight conditions.
– Postpone the work if the weather is windy, foggy,
rainy or inclement.
￭ Your hedge trimmer is a one-person machine.
– Switch off the hedge trimmer immediately if you are
approached.
￭ To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders and
unauthorized users:
– Never leave the hedge trimmer unattended when the
activation key is inserted.
– Switch off the hedge trimmer and remove the
activation key during work breaks and any other time
the hedge trimmer is not in use.
￭ Sparks generated from operation of the hedge trimmer
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 hedge trimmer 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 Canada:
CCOHS) for identifying and avoiding the hazards of
combustible gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or other
combustible materials and substances.
￭ Use of this hedge trimmer (including sharpening the
cutting blades) can generate dust 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 (for Canada: ECCC,
CCOHS and PHAC) and other authoritative sources
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