Safe Use of Stihl Saws

Presented by J Moseby
Aim
To
minimise the number of accidents
due to incorrect use of Stihl Saws
Objective
The candidate will demonstrate a knowledge
of the following
The safe use of a Stihl Saw

Occupational law relating to Stihl Saws

Machine fuelling

Correct PPE

Correct storage
Reason for Course
Mr X was using a grinder to cut a concrete beam,
the grinder jumped ripping into his abdomen
He saw his bowel and intestine emerging from
his stomach, he was rushed to hospital, had a
four hour operation, recovered medically, but
suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
for a considerable period of time
Types of Abrasive Wheel
Abrasives
There are two abrasives in common use.
These are Aluminium Oxide, and Diamond .
(A and D)
Aluminium Oxide (A) is used for tough
materials such as steels, malleable irons and
bronzes.
Diamond (D) used on masonry products
The Bond
The bond is the substance which when mixed with the
abrasive grains holds them together enabling the mixture
to be moulded into the form of a wheel.
The most common bond for cutting off purposes is
Resinoid (B) or Resinoid Reinforced (BF)
Questions
What are the two abrasives used on a Stihl
Saw
Which bond is commonly used on a Stihl
Saw, and why is this type of bond use?
British Standard Marking
System
British Standards detail the four symbol
groups into which a wheel marking is divided
as follows:-
Abrasive type
Grain Size
Grade
Bond
British Standard Code
Aluminium
8 A Soft 1 Dence
10 B

Oxide 12
14 Course
C
D 2

21A 46 M 5 BF
15 E Resinoid (B)
16 F 3
20 G
24 H
30 I 4 Resinoid
36 Medium J Reinforced (BF)
46 K 5 Normal
54 L
60 M Medium
80 N 6
100 O

Diamond 120
180 Fine
P
Q
7

220 R
D 100 N 5 B 240 S 8

280 T
320 U 9
400 V Fine V
500 W
600 X 10 Open
Y
Z Hard
The Blotter
Hazards
Main Causes of Wheel Breakages
Centrifugal force
Heat of grinding
Mounting strains
Accidents
Mechanical shock
Damaged wheels due to incorrect storage and
handling
Wedging of work between the guard
Guards
(a) Bench Grinder
(b) Cylindrical
Grinder
(c) Cutting Off &
Surface Grinder
(d) Swing Frame
Grinder
Guards
Purpose of guards
In spite of the care exercised by abrasive wheel manufacturers,
the risk of a burst is inherent of every abrasive wheel and a
guard of adequate strength must be provided
The guard has four main functions
To contain the wheel parts in the event of a burst

To protect the wheel against damage

Protect the operator from rotating parts

Prevent an oversized wheel from being fitted

Guards should be robust and adequately attached to the frame

Precautions
Wheel Speed Guards
Spindle speeds Side grinding
Mounting by trained Floor conditions
persons Lubrication
Starting of wheels Stopping of wheels
Lighting
Portable machines
Wet grinding
Loose clothing
Eye Protection
Cut off wheels
Dust controls
Machine bearings Defects
Insufficient power
Wheel Inspection
Visual

Damage
Chips, Oil Stains, Structure defects, Cracks
Wheels should be inspected on arrival and
prior to fitting
Questions
A Abrasive Wheel as written on the blotter
1600 RPM what does this mean?
Name two hazards from using an Abrasive
Wheel?
Name two purposes of a guard when using
an Abrasive Wheel
Vibration White Finger (VWF)
Do your hands go white?
Have you got problems with your hands in the cold?
Do you have problems with your hands due to using vibrating Power
Tools?
See a doctor you may have Vibrating White Finger
White Finger Vibration (WFV)
This condition is suffered by people who have used or
are using vibrating tools, such as:
Concrete pickers

Stihl Saws

Vibrating pokers

Compactors

Hammer drills

Scrabblers
Symptoms
Tingling and numbness of the fingers
One finger turns white and becomes painful

Other fingers turn white with more pain

Probably now irreversible

More frequent attacks of pain

Only cure now is to have fingers removed

Prevention
Reduce dosage
Use machines with low vibration rates
(Metres/sec2)
Maintenance

Possible PPE

Keep fingers warm

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers Responsibilities
Regulation 2

Responsible for the Health, Safety and Welfare of all

his employees
Regulation 3

As above but for anyone else who maybe affected

by the companies activities i.e. contractors, visitors,
general public etc
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employees Responsibilities
Regulation 7 and 8
You are responsible for your own health and safety
and others who maybe affected by your acts and
omissions
You must cooperate with your employer on health
and safety matters
You must not interfere maliciously with any thing
provided for health and safety
Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER98)

Suitability of work equipment

Every employer shall ensure that work
equipment is suitable for its intended task
Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER98)

Maintenance
Every employer shall ensure that work
equipment is maintained and is in efficient
working order

Poor maintenanc
Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER98)

Information and Instruction

Every employer shall ensure that all persons
who use work equipment are given adequate
health and safety training
Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER98)
Dangerous parts of a machine must be guarded, guard must be
Suitable
Guard
Adequate strength and design

Maintained in a efficient state

In good working order

As per manufactures spec and not modified

Guards must be provided and used as

appropriate, failure to use a guard may result in
a fine and will certainly result in reduced civil
compensation, due to contributory negligence in
the case of injury or death
What is covered by PUWER 98
Generally anything used by people at work, for
example
Dumper trucks

Ladders

Drilling machines

Cement mixers

Stihl saws
Fuelling Machine
Do not smoke, allow naked flames near machine,
when fuelling
Ovoid spillages, clean up spillages
Do not wear clothes made from man made fibres
Change contaminated clothing
Switch off engine
Ensure engine is cool
Open filler cap slowly to release pressure
Refuel in well ventilated areas (outside)
Fuelling Machine
Replace cap tightly it reduces the chance of it
working free, resulting in spillages
Do not start machine if there is any sign of
spilt fuel
Questions
Name two symptoms of VWF?
Name two things you can do to minimise
VWF?
Name three precautions to be observed when
refuelling Stihl Saws?
What must an employer do, before allowing
anyone to use a Stihl Saw?
What is your responsibility under section 7 of
the HASAWA 1974?
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
Wear correct PPE

safety boots
hard hat
face mask
ear defenders
eye protection
gloves
Pre-use Check
Before use check
For spilt or leaked fuel on machine

Physical damage to machine

All controls functioning correctly

Handles good grip and clean

Condition and type of wheel

Starting the Machine
Keep others clear
Start the machine on the ground (floor)

Do not wrap starter cord around your hand

Do not allow the grip to to snap back, guide it

back
Fumes are toxic run machine only in well
ventilated areas
Ensure the wheel is free from obstructions
Starting and Using the
Machine
Keep a good balance and grip on the machine
No loose clothing or jewellery
Tie back long hair
Do not exceed recommended time allowance (VWF)
Check guard is in place and secure
Check interlock is working correctly and can be
released easily
Do not drop start
Move machine about 3 metres from fuelling point
before starting
Fitting a Diamond Wheel
Do not use damaged, cracked or warped
wheels
Check all parts to be assembled are clean
Spindle and arbour hole diameter to be the
same (20mm)
Check thrust washers are the same diameter,
are genuine parts are clean and undamaged
Note is direction of rotation the same as that
on the wheel
Fitting a Diamond Wheel
Fit the wheel without force
Fit tightening screws firmly, but do not over
tighten
Run machine for a minute before using
Correct Use
Set throttle at half speed, then cut at full
speed
Do not use with on hand
Stand to one side of wheel
Use machine with a uniform backwards and
forwards motion (swing cut)
Do not tilt the wheel inside the cut
Do not cut small radii
Cut wet if possible this will reduce dust
Over-speeding
Watch out for over revving, this may result in
an abrasive wheel exceeding its maximum
allowed RPM, and possibly exploding
Possible cause
Wrong air petrol mixture

Dirt on over revving protection device

Correct Use
Never use machine above shoulder height
Set guard so that any sparks generated do
not flow onto the operator
Stop Checks
Release throttle
Wait until the blade stops spinning before
putting the machine down
Place on a firm surface
Ensure blade in not touching any other
objects
Move switch to off position
Check machine and blade for faults (report
faults to nominated person)
Cutting Wheels
Different
types for different tasks
You must attend a Abrasive Wheel Course to
change some wheels, without it you can only
change wheels that do not contain abrasives
embedded in a bond.
Storage
Machine to be services and stored in a well
ventilated area or with a empty fuel tank,
never near a open fire
Store cutting wheels in a dry area which is
not exposed to sunlight
Never store wheels in frost, this will damage
the bond and could cause he wheel to
explode in use
Questions
List
two possible causes of a wheel over
speeding
Describe the danger associated from a Stihl
Saw over speeding
Name three things you should look for, when
conducting a pre-use check