How To Stay Safe When Mowing Your Lawn
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In 2014 The Royal Society For The Prevention of Accidents reported that around 6,500 accidents each year could be attributed to the incorrect use of lawnmowers or other garden machinery. So with this in mind, here are some lawn mowing safety tips to help you stay safe whilst mowing your lawns.
Check that you are wearing appropriate clothing.
- To protect your feet from flying
debris and sharp objects and to help avoid slipping on damp or moist
grass. Wear Closed Toe Footwear with
soles that provide a good level of grip.
- Eye protection, safety googles or
wraparound glasses or sunglasses. To protect you from flying debris including
grass clippings.
- Ear Defenders this is
particularly important when using petrol powered or noisy machines.
- To protect legs from flying
debris and to reduce the risk of entanglement. Wear long close fitting trousers
- During the summer months in the
words of a well-known song “Wear sun screen”.
Check the machine.
- Read the operators manual / handbook
and familiarise yourself with the machines controls. Also check that the
manufactures service / maintenance schedule has been followed.
- Check all wheels or rollers are
present and in good condition. If pneumatic tyres are fitted check tyre pressures
are correct. In the case of collecting mowers check that the grass bag /
collector, deflector or mulch plug is correctly fitted.
- In the case of electric (mains)
mowers check the condition of the cable. If the cable is damaged arrange for
replacement prior to use. It is also recommended that a RCD (power breaker) be
used with mains powered machines.
- In the case of a battery mower
ensure that all batteries are in good condition and fully charged. Do not use
damaged batteries as the could potentially
pose a significant fire risk
- Where visible check the machines
belts for wear and condition.
- Ensure all belt and drive guards
are securely and correctly fitted.
- Ensure the machine is switched
off. Then check that there are no obvious blockages or obstructions with in the
deck.
- In the case of petrol mowers
check the oil level is correct and that the machine has sufficient fuel to
complete your mowing task.
Survey the area to be mowed
- Check the area to be mowed is
free of any obstructions, items such as toys, stones and other garden debris
that could potentially damage the machine or become projectiles.
- Ensure that small children and
pets are kept out of the area to be mowed. Older children and adults should be
made aware of the area / areas that you will be mowing in.
- Avoid mowing in damp or wet conditions.
Safe use, Driving and walking
- Always move petrol machines
outside into a well ventilated area before starting them. Never start petrol
machines inside. The fumes from these machines can be lethal if inhaled
- Only mow in good dry conditions
in daylight. Never mow in the dark
- Keep hands and feet well away
from any moving parts
- Never attempt to remove any
blockages whilst the machine is running, Switch It Off!
- Slopes can present a significant
hazards and there are two basic rules to follow one for walk-behind or a
pedestrian mowers and one for ride-on
mowers and lawn tractors
- Walk-behind or pedestrian mowers-
Always mow parallel to the slope (side to side). This reduces the slip hazard
and the chance of the mower running away from you or rolling backwards into
you.
- Ride-on mowers & Lawn
tractors- Always mow perpendicular (up and down) the slope. This ensures that
the machine does not topple or role over. You should also consult the
manufacturers guide for your machine to ensure the slope to be mowed is within
the limits of your machine.
- Mow in a forward direction only.
This is particularly important with walk-behind / pedestrian mowers as this
reduces the risk of catching your feet on or under the machine. With ride-on /
lawn tractors if you have to reverse always check behind you, most machines
these days have safety switches to ensure you do this. You wouldn’t want to run
anyone over or damage your machine on any unseen objects, now would you?
- As previously mentioned don’t mow
in wet or damp conditions. This avoids slip hazards and potential damage to
your machine which could be caused as a result of blockages of compacted wet or
damp grass clippings
Refuelling
- Ensure that your fuel is stored
in approved container that comes with a fuel spout. Keep this container out of
direct sunlight.
- If you have to refuel your petrol
mower part way through lawn mowing than allow the machine to cool before adding
additional fuel.
- While adding the fuel to the
machine ensure that the fuel spout from the fuel container remains in contact
with the lip of the machines fuel tank. Doing this will reduce the risk of a
static electricity spark igniting the fuel in the machines tank, the container
or worst both!
- If replacing batteries I a
battery powered machine ensure the safety switch is in the off position and
only use fully charged and manufacturer approved batteries.
Now go and enjoy your mowing.