To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely

To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely

Objective

• To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely

SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Background

• Blowers, edgers, string trimmers, and push mowers are the most common of the small-engine equipment used on a landscape job site

• They also are responsible for the majority of accidents and property damage


Pre-work activities

• Before you begin operating a blower, edger, string trimmer, or push mower you should always examine the work area and equipment


Pre-work activities

• Pick up stones, pine cones, sticks, or trash

• Could result in injuries to you or others, or cause property damage

• Look for parked cars that might interfere with your work and the direction of your discharge

• Wear a high-visibility safety vest when working near roadways or parking lotsSAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Pre-work activities

• Look for areas that could cause slips and/or falls

• Pine straw beds, wet walkways, etc.

• Check the condition of the equipment

• Make repairs, replace necessary parts, and tighten loose bolts before using



Personal Protective Equipment• Safety glasses

• Fitted abrasion-resistant gloves

• Long-sleeved shirt and pants

• Hearing protection


Personal Protective Equipment• Work boots that lace up above

the ankle and have good tread

• Reflective vest, if working near a roadway


Personal Protective Equipment• Dress appropriately for the day’s

weather conditions

• Light-colored, thin clothing for hot days

• Warmer layers for cold or wet days

• Adequate sunscreen and wide-brimmed hat for protection against the sun’s harmful rays


Fueling safety precautions

• DO NOT SMOKE or have an open flame while fueling

• Let equipment cool down before fueling

• Remove gas cap carefully

• Wear safety glasses when fueling

• Ensure that you are using the correct fuel


Blower safety

• When starting the blower, avoid slips, falls and strains by

• Setting the blower on level and stable ground

• Following the owner’s manual on choke and throttle positions


Blower safety

• Using one arm to pull back on the cord and the other to hold the blower steady

• Using foot to steady blower as you pull

• Avoiding using your back to pull

• Bending at knees (not at the back) and avoiding twisting your body when picking the blower up off ground


When using the blower

• Ensure straps are tightened for proper fit if using a backpack blower

• Wear safety glasses and appropriate hearing protection

• Wear work boots with good tread

• Pay attention to your surroundings



• Avoid turning with feet planted

• Pick up feet and step into turn to avoid twisting an ankle

• Always face traffic and wear high-visibility safety vest

• Wear abrasion-resistant gloves

• Stop operations when pedestrians are nearby



• Never use from ladders, rooftops, trees or other unstable surfaces

• Watch the direction of the discharge

• Direct it away from cars, windows, people, etc.

• Do not place exhaust from equipment near combustible materials, such as leaves


Edger safety

• When starting the edger, avoid slips, falls and strains by

• Setting the edger on level and stable ground



Edger safety

• Using one arm to pull back on the cord and the other to hold the edger steady

• Use your foot to steady the edger as you pull

• Avoid using your back to pull

• When picking the edger up off ground, bend at knees not at the back and avoid twisting body


When using the edger

• Operate the equipment with both hands

• Try to avoid twisting body

• Always try to push (not pull) equipment

• Wear safety glasses and always operate with guard attached





• Wet grass can be very slippery

• Wear appropriate hearing protection

• Always face traffic and wear a high-visibility safety vest




• Watch footing on slopes

• When transporting from one location to another, disengage the blade


• Never leave the machine running and unattended


Replacing blades/clearing jams• Turn off motor and ensure blades

have stopped turning before replacing blades or clearing jams

• Unplug spark plug before replacing blades


String trimmer safety

• When starting the string trimmer, avoid slips, falls and strains by

• Setting the trimmer on level, stable ground


• Using one arm to pull back on the cord and the other to hold the trimmer steady

• Use your foot to steady the trimmer as you pull



When using the string trimmer• Hold equipment with both hands

• Avoid twisting body

• Move arms and shoulders in slow, steady sweeps

• Wear safety glasses and keep string trimmer close to ground


When using the string trimmer• Always operate with guard attached





When using the string trimmer• Always face traffic and wear

high-visibility safety vest


• NEVER turn string trimmer on its side to use as an edger



When using the string trimmer• Never leave the machine running and

unattended

• Keep hands and feet well clear of the strings or blades

• Watch the direction of the discharge carefully



When replacing blades or strings• Turn off motor and ensure strings or

blades have stopped turning before replacing

• Unplug spark plug before replacing strings or blades


Push mower safety

• When starting the push mower, avoid slips, falls and strains by

• Ensuring equipment is on level ground and will not roll

• Following owner’s manual on choke and throttle positions

• Ensuring blades are disengaged, if applicable


Push mower safety

• Placing foot on equipment for balance and to secure it

• Using one arm to pull back on the cord and the other to hold the mower steady

• Us your foot to steady the mower as you pull



When using the push mower

• Hold equipment with both hands

• Try to avoid twisting body

• Always try to push (not pull) equipment

• Wear safety glasses and always operate with guard attached and down




• Pay attention to surroundings

• Wet grass can be very slippery




• Always face traffic and wear a high-visibility safety vest


• Mow across hills or slopes, never up or down

• When turning, avoid raising front wheels too high




• Never leave the machine running and unattended

• Watch the direction of the discharge carefully



When replacing blades or clearing jams

• Turn off motor and ensure blades have stopped turning before replacing or clearing jams

• Unplug spark plug before replacing blades


Review

• Always inspect the area before beginning work

• Always wear required Personal Protective Equipment

• Use equipment safely

• Properly maintain equipment

Documents

To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely