PGM Safety Services  

Tips:  Lawn Equipment Safety

Many injuries result from the misuse of power mowers and power line trimmers.  Many accidents involving power lawn equipment result in severe lacerations and often amputations.  Wounds caused by these accidents are prone to infection by the unsanitary conditions of the environment.  Help reduce these accidents by following a few simple safety precautions.

Power Push Mowers

  • Read the operator’s manual and know how to operate the machine properly.
  • Don’t disable or bypass safety devices.
  • Read all equipment warning labels.
  • Protect yourself and others against thrown objects by clearing the work area of rocks, sticks, toys, or any other materials that could become a missile if struck by the mower blades.
  • Keep the discharge chute guard or grass catcher in place at all times.
  • Keep bystanders, especially children, away from the mowing area.
  • Keep hands and feet away from the mower blades while it is running.  If the discharge chute clogs or the grass catcher is full, stop the engine before attempting to clear the clog or empty the grass catcher.
  • Never leave a running mower unattended.
  • Stop the engine before adjusting the wheels of the mower.
  • Mow in a forward direction whenever possible.
  • Do not walk backwards while pulling the mower toward you.  If you trip, the mower could end up on top of you or on top of your feet or legs.
  • Mow across the slope of hillsides.  Do not mow up and down the slope.
  • To ensure good footing, wait until the grass is dry before mowing.
  • Handle fuel safely.  Before refueling, stop the engine and allow it to cool.  Wipe up spilled fuel or allow it to evaporate before starting an engine.
  • Never refuel gasoline-powered equipment indoors.

Power Line Trimmers

  • Read the operator’s manual and get proper instructions before operating a trimmer.
  • Never operate the trimmer with the guard removed.
  • Clear the work area of objects, sticks, rocks, wire, etc., before starting work.
  • Clear the work area of people and animals for a radius of approximately 35 feet around the operator.
  • Always wear eye protection.
  • Keep the cutting line or blade away from your feet and legs.
  • Position the trimmer away from your body to avoid contact with the muffler or other hot engine parts.
  • Move the trimmer in a sweeping motion away from your body.

Clothing and Maintenance

  • Wear close-fitting clothes, long pants or slacks, and closed-toe shoes with traction soles.  Do not operate any power equipment while barefoot, or when wearing thongs or sandals.
  • Loose clothing, scarves, dangling jewelry, and untucked shirt tails can snag on controls or get caught in moving parts.
  • Protect your eyes with safety glasses or goggles, and ears with earplugs.
  • Wear gloves to service or adjust equipment, especially when working on the blades.
  • When working on equipment with blade guards removed, take out the spark plug and ground the spark plug wire to prevent accidental engine start.

Tips:  Choosing the right clothing and PPE for welding

Every occupation has its own unique safety issues.  These tips courtesy of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Division of Safety & Hygiene offer personal protective equipment recommendations specifically for workers in the welding industry.

  • All welders should wear fire-retardant gauntlet gloves.
  • Fire-retardant aprons of leather or other suitable materials provide additional protection against sparks, spatter and radiated heat.
  • All welders should wear high, snug-fitting safety shoes; low or loose-fitting shoes may catch hot spatter.
  • Wear safety glasses with side shields under your helmet when arc welding.
  • Woolen clothing is recommended rather than cotton.  Wool offers more protection against temperature changes and is not as easily ignited.  Cotton, however, can be treated chemically to reduce flammability.  Outer clothing should be as oil-free and grease-free as possible.
  • Wear cuff less pants and overalls without pockets; to prevent sparks from lodging in clothing, aprons also should not have pockets.  Sleeves and collars should be buttoned.
  • Very heavy work demands fire-resistant leggings, high boots or similar protection.
  • Leather capes or shoulder covers are suggested for overhead work.  Wearing leather skull caps under helmets prevents head burns.  Wood or rubber ear plugs or wire screen protectors are sometimes required for overhead work.
  • If there is a danger of falling objects, hard hats are required.
  • Store protective clothing and equipment in a clean, dry, well-ventilated place when not in use.

Eye Protection

Everyone in a welding area should wear eye protection.

  • The electric welding arc sends out intense, visible rays, as well as infrared and ultraviolet rays.  The rays or even the reflection of the rays can burn the skin much like strong sunlight, but the harm they can do to the eyes is far more serious.  As a precaution against direct or indirect exposure, all skin surfaces should be covered and proper eye protection must be worn.  The correct lens shade number should be worn under the helmet.
  • Resistance welders should wear transparent face shields or goggles.
  • People near arc welding areas should be protected from the arc welding rays; noncombustible screens should be used, or they should wear proper goggles.
  • Workers should not use helmets or goggles that have been worn by another employee unless the equipment has been sterilized.  Helmets and goggles should be carefully selected and handled.
  • Safety lenses in all goggles and helmets used by welders must pass the test for transmission of radiant energy prescribed in ANSI Z97.1.
  • When performing light welding work or inspections, spectacles with proper lenses are sometimes acceptable.
  • Lenses designed for eye protection during oxyacetylene welding or cutting do not provide dependable protection against electric arc rays.
For more information on this subject contact Bob Arnold of PGM Safety Services at bobarnold@pgmnv.com or at (800) 859-3177.
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