Commercial mower operators aim to give residential and commercial lawns a professional-looking finish and professionalism is key when operating these bladed beasts. In addition to education offered by mower manufacturers, the majority of lawn maintenance companies thoroughly train their mower operators in safe and correct mowing techniques. When training is done properly, lawns are perfectly manicured and mower operators – as well as crewmembers and other bystanders – are out of harms way.
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Unfortunately, stories circulate the industry every year of mower operators who were injured or even killed in mowing accidents, many of which are preventable. As the 2005 mowing season begins, take a minute to answer the following five questions about mower safety from the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, then read on to refresh your education on proper mower operation and maintenance. Be sure to share the quiz with your employees so everyone at your company has a safe season.
LAWN MOWER SAFETY: HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?
1. How fast can a stick or toy fly out of a lawnmower discharge chute?
a) 10 miles per hour
b) 20 miles per hour
c) 200 miles per hour
d) 500 miles per hour
2. TRUE or FALSE: Always mow across slopes and inclines when using a walk-behind mower.
3. What kind of shoes should you wear when operating a walk-behind mower?
a) sandals
b) canvas athletic shoes
c) bare feet
d) leather shoes
4. What is the most important thing to do before doing any service work on a mower?
a) put on gloves
b) drain fuel tank
c) disconnect spark plug
5. TRUE or FALSE: One gallon of gasoline combined with the correct amount of air is equal to 83 pounds of dynamite.
[Answers to quiz: 1-c; 2-True; 3-d; 4-c; 5-True]
MOWER HAZARDS. While it’s designed to trip grass, lawn mowers have the potential to cut anything in their paths. According to the CPSC, the cutting edge of the mower blade can travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. At that speed, even a dull blade at that speed can slice fingers and toes that get in its way.
While many lawn maintenance crews focus on wide-open commercial mowing, materials like stones, sticks, litter and other debris can become projectiles when struck by a lawn mower blade. On residential properties, children’s toys fall into this category as well, so all yards should be clear of debris before mowing begins.These items, too, can travel up to 200 miles per hour as they leave the discharge chute. Items thrown from mowers can cause serious injury to other people in the area or to the operator when there is no rear guard. Thrown items also can cause property damage.
In addition to cutting and projectile dangers, mowers also can cause burns. The muffler and cylinder head heat up during operation, and remain hot for some time after the engine has been turned off.
Fuel is another danger. Most mowers are powered by gasoline-driven combustion engines. Gasoline is a very explosive and flammable material that should be treated with respect. One gallon of gasoline combined with the correct amount of air is equivalent to 83 pounds of dynamite. Gasoline is flammable because it vaporizes with air to form a mixture that ignites easily. Vaporization can occur in temperatures as low as zero degrees.
SAFE PRACTICES. While commercial mower operators work differently than a homeowner on his or her own lawn, anyone operating a mower can benefit from these safe practices. Consider adding them into your company’s training and safety routines.
- Prepare lawn for mowing. Every time before you mow, check your lawn for items such as sticks, rocks, toys, sports equipment, dog bones, wire and equipment parts. Make sure miscellaneous items are not hidden in tall grass. Also look for and remember immovable objects, such as pipes or partially buried rocks. Running into a fixed object can shatter the blade and throw jagged chunks of metal out the discharge chute or under the housing.
- Handle fuel with care. Always use care when filling the tank with gasoline. Wipe up spills. Never fill the tank on a mower that has been operating and is hot. Vapors from the gasoline can be ignited by a hot muffler.
- Wear appropriate clothes. Close-fitting clothes are less likely to get caught on controls or moving parts. Long pants and sturdy leather shoes protect you from flying sticks, stones, or other items not caught by the rear guard. Shoes also should provide good traction. A canvas or open-toed shoe cannot protect your foot if it slips into the blade. When mowing for long periods of time or if noise is objectionable, wear hearing protection such as earplugs.
- Use safe mowing techniques. Make sure other people, especially children, are out of the area. Young children should be supervised in the house while the yard is being mowed. They cannot understand the dangers, and the operator may not hear or see children approach. Never point the discharge chute at anyone – you never know when something will be thrown from the mower. Never run the mower over gravel.
- Avoid mowing wet grass. Wet grass is slippery and the operator can lose footing, slip under the mower, or allow the mower to roll backwards. Wet grass also clogs the discharge chute and can cause the engine to falter. When this happens, always turn off the engine and wait a few seconds for the blades to stop rotating before correcting it.
- Use care on inclines. Some slopes are too steep to mow safely, so use good judgment. Always push walk-behind mowers across slopes to avoid coming in contact with the mower (e.g., by sliding down the hill onto the mower, or allowing the mower to roll backwards on top of operator). Drive riding mowers up and down slopes.
- Never leave a running mower unattended. When you leave the operator's position the mower should be turned off. New models have an operator presence switch that automatically kills the engine when the operator releases the handle.
- Disconnect spark plug to service. Disconnect the spark plug when you work on the mower. This prevents the engine from accidentally being started. Many people are hurt every year because mowers start unexpectedly when the blade is turned by hand. Keep all parts in working condition. Fluid leaks (gas or oil), blade sharpening, and balancing may require professional service.
MOWER SAFETY FEATURES. Safety features on newer mowers help prevent hazardous situations that can lead to injury. Do not disconnect special features or controls to avoid using them. Look for a shield on the back blade housing behind the rear wheels of the mower. This shield protects the operator's feet from exposure to the blade and thrown objects.
A deadman switch, or operator presence switch, requires the operator to hold the device to keep the mower running. If for some reason the operator releases the switch, the engine is turned off. When placed at the correct location, the switch makes it physically impossible for an operator to hold the switch and reach down to the danger area where the blade is operating. Some switches also have a braking device that stops blade rotation.
OTHER SOLUTIONS. Think of the layout of the yard and ways to make mowing safer. Do you have steep slopes that are dangerous and difficult to mow? Are there lots of trees with low-hanging branches to mow around? Retaining walls can help reduce inclines, and flower beds eliminate the need for mowing in difficult areas. Adding mulch one to three feet around a tree (depending on size) makes trimming easier. Keep trees pruned properly so that you can see while mowing. Filling depressions or low spots ith soil can help you prevent sprains.
For more information about lawnmower safety, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800/492-8326.
This publication from the Consumer Products Safety Commission is geared toward walk-behind mowers. Additional precautions must be followed when operating other kinds of mowers, including riding mowers, those attached to small utility tractors, and implement-type mowers.