Lawn Care Safety!

Mowing season has returned and we want to take the time to talk about "Lawn Care Safety!" During this time of year, everyone starts fixing the flower beds, putting down mulch and one of the most dangerous lawn care issues, mowing. Some people mow with push mowers while others use lawn tractors. We also take it for granted that we are being safe for the most part. But are we really taking all of the safety precautions that we should or are recommended.

Lawn mowing and trimming equipment are inherently dangerous because of the fast moving cutting implements used to actually cut the grass. The decks on a lawn mower or tractor provide most of the protection, however, there is a discharge chute that 'spits out' the clippings and there is always a gap between the bottom of the deck and the soft grass. These are areas of great concern because of flying debris such as rocks and stones hidden by the tall grass. Most trimmers only provide protection for the operator, but no one else. Debris is flung around in many directions at high speed.

Another major hazard concerns "riders". How many times have you seen children riding on the laps of the operator or riding in a wagon attached to the tractor, while the grass is being mowed. For children, it is a fun activity, riding around on the big tractor. But we must remember that this is an extremely dangerous thing to do and no instruction manual says it's OK to do it. In fact, most, if not all manuals, tell you not to do it. "Roll-Over" type incidents are very common.

There are many different safety rules we should always follow. Here are a few suggestions.

Mowing: When operating mowing equipment, no one should be within 100 feet of the mowers discharge. Because the discharge changes direction so often, it is recommended that no one except for the operator be in yard while mowing. We should also remember to stay away from the mower deck while the motor is running. Never allow anyone near you when the mowing deck is operating! A child running around near you could slip on the freshly cut grass and in a split second, a hand or foot could be severly injured.

Riders: Only the operator should be on a tractor while in motion. There is only one seat and that is for a reason. Uneven ground, holes or the malfunction of the drive/brake system can lead to the roll-over of a tractor. And if the mowing equipment is still running, things can be even worse. Some people think that having the kids in a wagon is OK and safe, but what happens when the child falls between the wagon and the tractor when the operator has to make a sudden stop.

Trimming: Remember that the only protection afforded while the trimmer is operated, is for the operator. Even the operator should wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, long sleeve shirts and long pants. No one but the operator, should be within 50 feet of an operating trimmer.

Please think "safety", when taking care of your lawn. Making our property look good makes us happy, but without following some simple and basic safety rules, it could become a devastating and tragic day for you and your family.

For more information regarding the proper operations of power lawn equipment, click on the following links or type "Lawn Tractor Safety" in your search bar.

http://nasdonline.org/document/1936/d001880/mowing-and-trimming-safety.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae173
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/farmmgt/05016.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/youth/agriculture/tractors.html