Stihl Risk Management & Mitigation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An operator notices the chain brake on a Stihl chainsaw fails to engage during the pre-use inspection. What is the correct risk mitigation action?
- Use the saw carefully and avoid kickback situations
- Remove the brake handle so it does not interfere
- Tag the saw out of service and repair it before any use (Correct answer)
- Operate at reduced throttle until the brake is fixed
Correct answer: Tag the saw out of service and repair it before any use
A non-functioning chain brake removes a critical safety device, so the saw must be taken out of service until repaired.
Question 2: Which weather condition should MOST likely trigger a stop-work decision during felling operations?
- Sustained high winds that can alter the tree's fall direction (Correct answer)
- Temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit
- Light overcast skies
- Morning dew on the grass
Correct answer: Sustained high winds that can alter the tree's fall direction
High winds can push a falling tree off its intended lay and dislodge overhead limbs, making felling unpredictable.
Question 3: What hazard does a spring pole present, and how is the risk best mitigated?
- Chain dulling; sharpen more frequently
- Fuel leakage; check the cap before cutting
- Stored energy that can release violently; relieve tension with small shaving cuts on the inside of the bend (Correct answer)
- Falling from above; wear a helmet and keep moving
Correct answer: Stored energy that can release violently; relieve tension with small shaving cuts on the inside of the bend
A bent sapling or limb under tension stores energy that can whip loose, so tension is released gradually with shallow cuts on the compression side.
Question 4: Why should a chainsaw operator always plan a retreat before beginning the back cut rather than after?
- The back cut is quieter, making warnings harder to hear
- It is required only for trees over 20 inches in diameter
- Retreat planning only matters on slopes
- Once the tree begins to fall there is no time to clear obstacles or choose a path (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Once the tree begins to fall there is no time to clear obstacles or choose a path
The tree can commit to falling within seconds of the back cut, leaving no time to improvise an escape.
Question 5: A certified operator is asked to fell a heavily leaning tree that exceeds their training level. What is the appropriate risk-based response?
- Make a deeper notch to compensate for the lean
- Have a coworker watch from the lean side
- Attempt it slowly with extra wedges
- Decline the cut and escalate to a qualified specialist or supervisor (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Decline the cut and escalate to a qualified specialist or supervisor
Working beyond one's training level is an unacceptable risk, and hazardous trees like heavy leaners require appropriately qualified personnel.
Question 6: What is the main risk-mitigation reason for fueling a chainsaw at least 10 feet from the ignition or cutting area?
- It shortens the walk back to the truck
- It keeps sawdust out of the fuel tank
- It prevents fuel vapors or spills from igniting when the saw is started (Correct answer)
- It reduces noise near the fuel can
Correct answer: It prevents fuel vapors or spills from igniting when the saw is started
Separating fueling from the start point keeps flammable vapors and spilled fuel away from ignition sparks.
Question 7: During limbing, which practice mitigates the risk of cutting into a leg?
- Cutting toward the body with short strokes
- Holding limbs steady with a free foot
- Standing directly over the limb for a clean view
- Keeping the saw on the far side of the trunk or positioning the trunk between the operator and the bar (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Keeping the saw on the far side of the trunk or positioning the trunk between the operator and the bar
Using the trunk as a barrier between the operator's body and the moving chain physically blocks contact injuries.
Stihl Risk Management & Mitigation 3
An operator notices the chain brake on a Stihl chainsaw fails to engage during the pre-use inspection.
What is the correct risk mitigation action?