Stihl HT 56 C-E Product Instruction Manual - Page 5

Safety Precautions and Working Techniques Because a pole pruner is a high-speed, fast-cutting power tool with a very long reach, special safety precautions must be observed to reduce the risk of personal injury. It is important that you read, fully understand and observe the following safety precautions and warnings. Read the instruction manual and the safety precautions periodically. Careless or improper use may cause serious or fatal injury. Have your STIHL dealer show you how to operate your power tool. Observe all applicable local safety regulations, standards and ordinances. Warning! Do not lend or rent your power tool without the instruction manual. Be sure that anyone using it understands the information contained in this manual. Warning! The use of this machine may be hazardous. The pole pruner chain has many sharp cutters. If the cutters contact your flesh, they will cut you, even if the chain is not moving. Do not cut any material other than wood or wooden objects. Use your pole pruner for limbing only. Warning! Do not use it for other purposes, since misuse may result in personal injury or property damage, including damage to the machine. Warning! Minors should never be allowed to use this power tool. Bystanders, especially children, and animals should not be allowed in the area where it is in use. Warning! To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders and damage to property, never let your power tool run unattended. When it is not in use (e. g. during a work break), shut it off and make sure that unauthorized persons do not use it. Most of these safety precautions and warnings apply to the use of all STIHL pole pruners. Different models may have different parts and controls. See the appropriate section of your instruction manual for a description of the controls and the function of the parts of your model. Safe use of a pole pruner involves 1. the operator 2. the pole pruner 3. the use of the pole pruner. THE OPERATOR English Physical Condition You must be in good physical condition and mental health and not under the influence of any substance (drugs, alcohol, etc.) which might impair vision, dexterity or judgment. Do not operate this machine when you are fatigued. Warning! Be alert - if you get tired, take a break. Tiredness may result in loss of control. Working with any power tool can be strenuous. If you have any condition that might be aggravated by strenuous work, check with your doctor before operating this machine. Warning! Prolonged use of a power tool (or other machines) exposing the operator to vibrations may produce whitefinger disease (Raynaud's phenomenon) or carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions reduce the hand's ability to feel and regulate temperature, produce numbness and burning sensations and may cause nerve and circulation damage and tissue necrosis. All factors which contribute to whitefinger disease are not known, but cold weather, smoking and diseases or physical conditions that affect blood vessels and blood transport, as well as high vibration levels and long periods of exposure to vibration are mentioned as factors in the development of whitefinger HT 56 C 3