Stihl RM 655 YS Instruction Manual - Page 11

5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - Never operate the mower in wet grass. Do not mow wet grass. - Do not operate the mower when there is a risk of lightning strike. ■ Your lawn mower is a one-person machine. - Bystanders, especially children, and ani‐ mals should not be allowed in the area where it is in use. - Shut off the engine immediately if you are approached or if anyone enters the area. ■ To reduce the risk of injury to bystanders and unauthorized users: - Never leave the lawn mower unattended when the engine is running. - Shut off the engine during work breaks and any other time the lawn mower is not in use. ■ Sparks generated from operation of the lawn mower, may be capable of igniting combusti‐ ble gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or other com‐ bustible materials and substances. To reduce the risk of fire and explosion: - Never operate the lawn mower in a loca‐ tion where combustible gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or other combustible materi‐ als and substances are present. - Read and follow recommendations issued by government authorities (e.g., OSHA) for identifying and avoiding the hazards of combustible gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or other combustible materials and sub‐ stances. - Never modify the engine's muffler or spark arresting screen. ■ As soon as the engine is running, it generates toxic exhaust gases containing chemicals, such as unburned hydrocarbons (including benzene) and carbon monoxide, that are known to cause respiratory problems, cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Some of the gases (e. g. carbon monoxide) may be colorless and odorless. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury or illness from inhaling toxic exhaust gases: - Start and operate the lawn mower only out‐ doors in a well ventila‐ ted work area. Never operate the lawn mower indoors, in con‐ fined spaces or other poorly ventilated loca‐ tions. - If exhaust fumes become concentrated due to insufficient venti‐ lation, clear obstruc‐ tions from the work 0478-111-8603-A English area. Ensure proper ventilation before pro‐ ceeding. ■ If a rotating metal blade strikes a rock or other hard object, sparks may be created, which can ignite flammable materials under certain cir‐ cumstances. Flammable materials can include dry vegetation and brush, particularly when weather conditions are hot and dry. - When there is a risk of fire or wildfire, do not use the lawn mower around flamma‐ ble materials or around dry vegetation or brush. - Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest Service if you have any ques‐ tion about whether vegetation and weather conditions are suitable for the use of a metal blade. ■ Use of this lawn mower 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 and other authoritative sources on hazardous mate‐ rials if you are unfamiliar with the risks associated with the particular substances you are cutting or with which you are working. ■ Inhalation of certain dusts, especially organic dusts such as mold or pollen, can cause sus‐ ceptible persons to have an allergic or asth‐ matic reaction. Substantial or repeated inhala‐ tion of dust or other airborne contaminants, especially those with a smaller particle size, may cause respiratory or other illnesses. - Control dust at the source where possible. - To the extent possible, operate the lawn mower so that the wind or operating proc‐ ess directs any dust, mist or other particu‐ late matter raised by the lawn mower away from the operator. - When respirable dust or other particulate matter cannot be kept at or near back‐ ground levels, always wear a respirator that is approved by NIOSH and rated for worksite-specific conditions. Follow the recommendations of governmental authorities (e.g. OSHA/NIOSH) and occu‐ pational and trade associations. ■ If the vegetation being cut or the surrounding ground is coated with a chemical substance, such as a pesticide, fertilizer or herbicide: - Read and follow the instructions and warnings that accompanied the substance 11