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100803
ELECTRIC CHAINSAW
HOMELITE EL12 AND EL16
8.
Wear the following safety gear when
operating chain saw.
• heavy-duty gloves (wear rubber
gloves when working outdoors)
• steel-toed safety footwear with non-
skid soles
• eye protection such as safety glasses,
goggles, or face screen
• safety hard hat
• ear mufflers or ear plugs
• hair covering to contain long hair
• face or dust mask (if working in dusty
areas)
9.
Before cutting, always provide the fol-
lowing:
• clear work area
• secure footing
• planned retreat path from falling tree
10. Inspect tree before cutting down. Make
sure there are no dead limbs or branches
that may fall on you.
SAFETY
INFORMATION
IMPORTANT: Make certain you
read and understand all Safety
Warnings on pages 2 through 4.
Improper use of this chain saw
can cause severe injury or death
from fire, electrical shock, body
contact with moving chain, or fall-
ing wood.
BEFORE OPERATING CHAIN
SAW
1.
Read and understand this owner’s
manual before operating chain saw.
2.
Use chain saw for cutting wood only.
Do not use for cutting any non-wood
items.
3.
Only well-instructed adults should op-
erate chain saw. Never allow children
to operate chain saw.
4.
Use only electrical voltage noted on
model plate of chain saw.
5.
Use only extension cords marked for
outdoor use. See page 8 for extension
cord requirements.
6.
Do not operate chain saw
• while under the influence of alcohol,
medication, or drugs
• in rain or in damp or wet areas
• where highly flammable liquids or
gases are present
• if saw is damaged, adjusted wrong,
or not fully assembled
• if trigger does not turn saw on and
off. Chain must stop moving when
you release trigger. Have faulty
switch replaced by authorized service
center.
• while tired or in a hurry
• while in tree or on a ladder unless
trained to do so
7.
Wear snug-fitting clothes when oper-
ating chain saw. Do not wear loose
clothing or jewelry. They can get caught
in moving saw chain.
WARNING ICON
G 001
WARNINGS
CHAIN SAW OPERATION
1.
Stay alert. Use common sense while
operating chain saw.
2.
Keep work area clean. Cluttered areas
invite injuries.
3.
Be aware of extension cord while op-
erating chain saw. Be careful not to trip
over cord.
4.
Keep children, animals, and bystand-
ers away from chain saw and extension
cord. Only chain saw user should be in
work area.
5.
Do not cut down a tree unless you are
trained or have expert help.
6.
If two or more persons perform buck-
ing and felling operations at the same
time, provide plenty of distance be-
tween operations. Provide distance of
at least twice the height of tree being
felled.
7.
Secure wood you are cutting by using
clamps or chocks.
8.
Grip chain saw firmly with both hands.
Never operate chain saw with one hand.
Never use hand guard as handle.
9.
Keep finger off trigger until ready to
make cut.
10. Before starting chain saw, make sure
chain is not touching anything.
11. Avoid body contact with grounded ob-
jects such as pipes, fences, and metal
posts.
12. Keep all parts of body away from chain
when saw is running.
13. Do not force chain saw while cutting.
Apply light pressure.
14. Cut small brush and saplings with ex-
treme care. Slender material may catch
in chain and be whipped toward you.
This could also pull you off balance.
15. When cutting limb or tree trunk that is
under tension, use extreme caution. Be
alert for wood springing back. When
wood tension is released, limb could
spring back and strike operator caus-
ing severe injury or death.
16. Carry chain saw from one place to an-
other
• with chain saw unplugged
• by holding front handle (never use
hand guard as handle)
• with finger off trigger
• with guide bar and chain to rear
