Safety Precautions - Stihl MS 460 Instruction Manual

Safety Precautions

The STIHL MS 460 Rescue Saw has
been specifically designed for use in
rescue operations, e.g., by fire services,
emergency services, disaster services,
etc.
!
Warning!
The STIHL MS 460 Rescue Saw may be
used only by personnel who have been
specifically trained for rescue
operations. They must be knowledge-
able concerning the correct use of
chainsaws and able to assess the
additional risks and dangers associated
with emergency situations. Cutting with
a Rescue Saw requires special working
techniques that must be utilized to
reduce the risk of accidents and injuries
to the user, bystanders and the persons
being rescued. It also normally requires
the use of a certain, specially designed,
carbide-tipped chain specifically
authorized by STIHL for such purposes.
Rescue Saw
!
Warning!
The use of this saw for rescue
operations, even by trained personel,
can be extremely hazardous and may
result in severe or fatal personal injury.
The risk of injury from reactive forces,
fire or explosion, electrocution,
damaged chain and other causes when
employing a chainsaw for these
purposes is substantially increased.
Cutting any materials other than wood
will decrease the service life of the chain
and may cause irreversible damage to it,
requiring replacement before work with
the saw can be continued. The rescue
community, however, generally accepts
such increased safety and maintenance
requirements in the pursuit of preserving
life and property.
Most of the following safety precautions
are general in nature and apply to the
use of any chain saw. Since this
machine can also be used as a
conventional chain saw, warnings and
instructions are included here with
respect to, e.g., the felling and limbing of
trees. There are additional warnings,
however, specifically with respect to the
operation of rescue saws. For instance,
see the sections of these Safety
Precautions dealing with "Proper
Clothing" and "Cutting Instructions."
English / USA
The use of any chainsaw
may be hazardous. The
saw chain has many
sharp cutters. If the
cutters contact your flesh,
they will cut you, even if
the chain is not moving. At full throttle,
the chain speed can reach 45 mph
(20 m/s). It is important that you read,
fully understand and observe the
following safety precautions and
warnings. Read the Owner's Manual
and the Safety Precautions periodically.
Pay special attention to the section on
reactive forces.
!
Warning!
Reactive forces, including kickback, can
be dangerous. Careless or improper use
of any chainsaw may cause serious or
fatal injury.
All safety precautions that are generally
observed when working with an axe or a
hand saw also apply to the operation of
chainsaws. However, because a
chainsaw is a high-speed, fast-cutting
power tool, special safety precautions
must be observed to reduce the risk of
personal injury.
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