Stihl TS 500i Instruction Manual - Page 14

English WARNING Breathing asbestos dust is dangerous and can cause severe or fatal injury, respiratory illness or cancer, including mesothelioma. The use and disposal of asbestos-containing products are strictly regulated by OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency. Do not use your cut-off machine to cut or disturb asbestos, asbestos-containing products, or products such as pipes which are wrapped or covered with asbestos-containing insulation or material. If you have any reason to believe that you might be cutting asbestos containing-material, or if you cannot be sure, stop work and immediately contact your employer or a local OSHA or EPA representative. Your STIHL cut-off machine is designed for hand-held use or operation on a cutoff machine cart, see the chapter "Cutoff Machine Cart" in this instruction manual. WARNING Cutting with your cut-off machine resting on the ground or other surface can cause excessive wear to the bracket designed to protect the bottom of the tank housing. Loss of fuel and property damage or severe personal injury or 002BA549 AM death from fire may result. Replace damaged or badly worn brackets immediately. WARNING Grip: Never use the cut-off machine with one hand. Always hold the cut-off machine firmly with both hands when the engine is running. Place your left hand on the front handle and your right hand on the rear handle and throttle trigger. Left-handed users also must follow this instruction in order to reduce the risk of severe or fatal personal injury from kickback and/or loss of control. Using the machine "left-handed" positions your body in the plane of the abrasive cutting wheel and increases the risk that you will be struck by the moving wheel if kickback occurs. Wrap your fingers tightly around the handles, keeping the handles cradled between your thumbs and forefingers. Make sure the cut-off machine's handles and grip are in good condition and free of moisture, pitch, oil, fuel mix or grease. Never touch a rotating wheel with your hand or any part of your body or allow it to touch you. WARNING Clear the area where you are working. Avoid stumbling on obstacles and be alert for ditches or other irregularities and impediments. Be extremely cautious when working on slopes or rocky or uneven ground. Take extreme care in wet and freezing weather (rain, snow, ice). WARNING Sparks from cutting metal can burn the operator or cause clothing or other objects or materials to catch fire. Direct sparks away from the operator and any flammable surroundings. Never cut metal while standing on a flammable surface, such as wood or tar paper. Where there is a risk of fire, work with a fire watch and have appropriate fire extinguishing equipment readily available. Do not use the cut-off machine if you cannot direct sparks away from flammable substances or the operator. WARNING To reduce the risk of severe personal injury or death from fire, exlosion or other event, do not cut into any pipe, drum or other container without first ensuring that it does not contain a volatile or flammable substance and is not pressurized. WARNING When cutting into existing walls, floors or similar structures, be alert for hidden hazards such as electrical cables, water and gas pipes and flammable or pressurized materials, substances and structures. Make sure that power, water and gas have been shut off and pipes drained before starting to cut. 12 TS 480i, TS 500i