The Complete Guide to Lawn Mower Safety and Tips
Lawn mowers are a common sight in most yards. They are a necessary tool that is used to maintain the lawn and keep the grass at an even height. They can also be used for other purposes such as clearing debris from sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces.
Mowing the lawn can be dangerous if not done properly or with care. This is why it’s important to take precautions to ensure you and others around you stay safe when operating a lawn mower.
Lawn mowers are a popular choice of power equipment in the United States. They are used to cut grass and weeds, and they can be used on any type of terrain. However, they pose a serious safety risk to those that use them.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that lawn mowers were responsible for an estimated 2,600 injuries in 2017. This is not surprising when you consider that there is a high chance of injury if you have to operate the machine without protective gear or without following proper safety procedures.
Lawn mowers can easily cause serious injuries such as amputation, head trauma, lacerations, and more. For this reason alone it is important to follow lawn mower safety guidelines in order to protect yourself and the people around you.
Lawn Mower Safety and Tips
The Kinds Of Lawn Mower Injuries You May Get
- If you’re ever near a lawn mower engine, be aware of the dangers of burns from hot exhaust gases or liquid fuel spilling on your skin.
- Cuts most often occur on the hands and feet from the blades. Small wounds or cuts can harbor unsafe bacteria which can lead to infection. Antibiotic medicines could be necessary, in which case you will need to visit your GP.
- Mower blades can slice off an arm, leg, hand or foot. Burns, cuts and fractures could be so severe that a necessary amputation – either surgical or through the use of separate medical equipment – is the only way to prevent infection and further complications.
- A mower’s rotating blades can cause broken bones if you come in contact with them.
- If an object, such as a wire or a loose item from your lawn, is thrown from the spinning blades of your mower and contacts an arm or leg it can cause various injuries such as missile injuries.
Lawn Mower Injuries Prevention
- If you haven’t read your instruction manual yet, do so before using your mower. Keep your mower in good working order with sharp blades. Only use a mower that has protection over hot and sharp parts.
- Make sure there are no flying objects near you when you mow or run over them. In order to avoid shattering your home’s and your neighbor’s car’s windows, pick up all stones, branches, toys, sprinklers, and any other items before you begin mowing.
- You shouldn’t wait until the spot has been mowed until you notice something you missed while you were mowing. Pick it up as soon as you notice it.
- Hearing sounds over 85 decibels for long periods of time can damage hearing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, we recommend wearing hearing protection when using lawn mowers to reduce noise levels above 100 decibels.
- Mowing the lawn can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. These simple steps will help you make your yard look sharp while taking care of your mower. The best way to stay safe while mowing the lawn is to wear goggles, hearing protection, gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. Make sure you are wearing sturdy close-toed shoes before you start your lawn mower.
- When mowing lawns, do not drink/use alcohol or other substances.
- Safety is paramount, so don’t remove any switches or their guards.
- Deaths and serious injuries occur each year when individuals insert their hands or feet into a mower’s spinning blade. Even with the motor turned off, the blade can still be spinning. Use a stick or broom handle instead. Turn off the appliance and remove the spark plug (or unplug the power cord for electric models) before trying to remove the object. Once the obstruction has been removed, the blades/rotors will turn forcefully since there will still be one turn left in the motor/gears after disconnecting the power. Beware of assuming you’re safe when the power is off.
- You need to make sure that proper footwear should be worn. There is no reason to wear sandals on the lawn when mowing, even though a spinning blade could slash through a leather shoe or boot. You should avoid sandals because they’re unstable, and a trip, slip, or stumble could result in contacting moving or hot parts. In addition, sandals increase the likelihood of pinching or stumbling a toe when mounted on a riding mower.
- Mowers should never be lifted by the bottom as the blades can cut fingers even when they aren’t moving. It is recommended to turn off the lawn mower before moving it or picking it up, remove the spark plug, and unplug it.
- Wet or damp grass shouldn’t be cut.
- You shouldn’t allow children younger than 12 or 16 to operate a push mower or ride a mower. When mowing the lawn, keep children away, and never allow a child to ride with you on a riding mower. They are designed for one person only. It is not appropriate for young children to demonstrate their skills in driving or operating a mower around the yard, and toddlers should remain indoors when mowing.
- Unless necessary, never pull or ride a mower backward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Operate a Lawnmower Safely And Avoid Dangerous Situations?
This section will provide you with some tips on how to operate a lawnmower safely and avoid dangerous situations.
– Wear proper safety gear, such as goggles, gloves, and ear protection.
– Keep a firm grip on the handlebars and keep your feet off the ground.
– Always start the lawnmower on level ground.
– Never operate a lawnmower in wet conditions or when it is raining.
– Stay clear of obstacles such as trees, shrubs, fences, and driveways.
– Operate the mower in a straight line at all times and don’t swerve from side to side.
How to Properly Store Your Lawn Equipment When Not in Use
For the most part, storing your lawn equipment when not in use is a fairly simple process. You should make sure to keep it out of the rain and away from any other types of weather. You should also take care to store it in a location that is not going to get too hot or too cold depending on what type of equipment you are storing.
How to Test the Blades of a Push Lawn Mower before Using It
A push lawn mower is a type of lawn mower that is pushed by the operator. To test the blades before using it, start by removing the blade cover and inspect them for any damage.
You should also check to see if they are sharp and aligned correctly. If you notice anything wrong with them, take them to a professional to be fixed before you use the machine.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some insight into the safety risks that come with lawn mowing. We want to encourage you to take these risks seriously and take the necessary precautions to keep your family out of danger.
