Stihl FS 461 C-M - Fire and Explosion Risk; Toxic Exhaust Gases

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English 5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
￭ To reduce the risk of fire and explosion:
– Never operate the trimmer / brushcutter in a location
where combustible gases, liquids, vapors, dusts or
other combustible materials and substances are
present.
– To reduce the risk of fire from sparking, never
attempt to start the engine with the spark plug or
boot removed.
– 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 substances.
– Never modify the muffler or spark arresting screen.
￭ If a rotating metal blade strikes a rock or other hard object,
sparks may be created, which can ignite flammable
materials under certain circumstances. 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
metal blades around flammable materials or around
dry vegetation or brush.
– Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest
Service if you have any question about whether
vegetation and weather conditions are suitable for
the use of a metal blade.
– STIHL does not recommend the use of metal blades
when cutting in rocky areas or in areas with debris or
other objects that could create sparks.
￭ Some STIHL mowing heads have a metal core. High-
speed contact with rock or other hard objects may create
sparks, which can ignite flammable materials under
certain circumstances. Flammable materials 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 a
mowing head with a metal core around dry
vegetation or brush.
– Contact your local fire authorities or the U.S. Forest
Service if you have any question about whether
vegetation and weather conditions are suitable for
the use of a mowing head with a metal core.
– STIHL does not recommend using a mowing head
with a metal core when cutting in rocky areas or in
areas with debris or other objects that could create
sparks.
￭ 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:
￭ Use of this trimmer / brushcutter 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 materials if you are unfamiliar
– Start and operate the trimmer /
brushcutter only outdoors in a well
ventilated work area. Never operate the
trimmer / brushcutter indoors, in confined
spaces or other poorly ventilated
locations.
– If exhaust fumes become concentrated
due to insufficient ventilation, shut off the
engine and clear obstructions from the
work area. Ensure proper ventilation
before resuming work.