TS 440
English
4
Proper Clothing
WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, the operator 
should wear proper protective apparel.
WARNING
When cutting metal, including rebar and 
other metals embedded in concrete or 
other materials, a cut-off machine 
generates sparks that can ignite clothing 
and other flammable materials. Most 
fabrics used in clothing are flammable – 
even flame-retardant fabrics will ignite at 
higher temperatures. To reduce the risk 
of burn injury, STIHL recommends 
wearing clothing made of leather, wool, 
flame-retardant-treated cotton or a 
tightly woven, heavier cotton such as 
denim. Some flame-retardant synthetic 
fabrics may also be suitable, but others, 
such as polyester, nylon, rayon and 
acetate, can melt during a fire into a tar-
like matter that burns into the skin. 
Check the clothing manufacturer's 
instructions. Keep clothing free of oil, 
fuel, grease and other flammable 
substances.
WARNING
Loose objects may be thrown toward the 
operator by the cutting wheel.
Wear an approved safety hard hat to 
protect your head.
Cut-off machine noise may damage your 
hearing. Always wear sound barriers 
(ear plugs or ear muffs) to help protect 
your hearing. Regular users should have 
their hearing checked regularly.
WARNING
Consult your employer for information 
relating to the respirator needed for your 
worksite-specific conditions. Your 
employer is likely to have in place an 
OSHA-required respiratory protection 
program and can provide information 
regarding the type and level of 
respiratory protection needed for your 
worksite conditions. Information also is 
available from OSHA at 
www.OSHA.gov. Even if wet cutting at 
the recommended flow rate, an operator 
who is working with the machine for 
more than two hours in one day should 
wear a NIOSH-approved respirator that 
is rated for the material being cut. For 
additional details and warnings on this 
subject, see information under "Working 
Conditions" in this instruction manual.
Clothing must be sturdy 
and snug-fitting, but allow 
complete freedom of 
movement. Avoid loose-
fitting jackets, scarfs, 
neckties, jewelry, flared 
or cuffed pants, uncon-
fined long hair or 
anything that could 
become caught on any 
obstacles or moving parts 
of the machine. Wear 
overalls or long pants to 
protect your legs. Do not 
wear shorts.
Always wear heavy-duty 
work gloves (e.g. made of 
leather or other wear 
resistant material) when 
handling the cut-off 
machine. Heavy-duty, 
non-slip gloves improve 
your grip and help to 
protect your hands.
Good footing is important 
in cut-off machine work. 
Wear sturdy boots with 
non-slip soles. Steel-toed 
safety boots are 
recommended.
To reduce the risk of 
injury to your eyes never 
operate a cut-off machine 
unless wearing goggles 
or properly fitted safety 
glasses with adequate 
top and side protection 
and that comply with 
ANSI Z87 "+". Proper eye 
protection is a must.
When wet cutting at the 
flow rate recommended 
in this instruction manual 
is not utilized or cannot 
be confirmed, to reduce 
the risk of serious or fatal 
respiratory illness or can-
cer the operator and any 
bystanders should 
always wear a respirator 
approved by NIOSH for 
the material being cut 
and with an Assigned 
Protection Factor suffi-
cient to provide the level 
of respiratory protection 
needed for worksite-spe-
cific conditions.