Shop By Category | General Safety Advice Around 300, 000 individuals in the UK attended Accident and Emergency after having an accident in the garden in 2004. Some 87, 000 people were actually injured while gardening.
The lawnmower tops the list of the most dangerous pieces of equipment, with 6, 500 lawnmower related accidents reported each year. Surprisingly the innocuous flowerpot is the second most dangerous tool, causing 5, 300 accidents, with falls, cuts and lifting injuries some of the most common types of accident recorded.
Many of the following points might sound like common sense, but it is incredible how many people end up in hospital because they have not taken basic safety precautions in the garden.
Why accidents happen:
people take shortcuts
lack of skill or training to ensure that the job is done safely
ignorance of potential risks
lack of planning and preparation
and, of course, bad luck; being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Making your garden safer:
Always read the operators instruction manual or user guides before starting any item of garden machinery for the first time.
You can help to avoid accidents by following some simple guidelines: Design a garden so that it reduces the need for high maintenance and lifting. Avoid trip hazards such as loose paving slabs, hosepipes left unravelled or uneven surfaces.
Use surfaces that provide a good grip underfoot.
Avoid the garden if possible when conditions are icy and slippery.
Do not leave sharp tools lying around. Lock them away from children.
Empty paddling pools after children have finished playing in them.
Learn which plants are poisonous and ensure children and pets stay away from them.
Electrical equipment should never be used in wet weather.
Use an RCD (residual current device) to prevent electric shocks. It cuts out the flow of electricity when a cable or flex is cut through.
Lock away chemicals such as weed-killers and insecticides. Just because they have the words 'organic' or 'bio' on them, does not make them safe for children to touch.
Wear safety equipment - such as goggles, hard hats, gloves and steel toe-capped boots - when using machinery. Tuck in loose items of clothing.
Never leave a barbecue unattended and make sure the flames are extinguished before going to bed.
If you are in the least bit unsure about the safety of tackling a job, call in professionals. |
| Lawnmowing Safety Advice Lawn mower safety tips:
It is advisable not to mow during bad weather. Do not mow wet grass, nor in bad light.
Ensure that the mower is in good condition and all safety equipment is in order.
Make sure you are familiar with the operating system of the equipment and safety measures.
Always use a circuit-breaker for electric mowers.
Some of the larger mowers make substantial noise and users should wear ear protectors.
Goggles should also we worn in case an object or stone is thrown up. Never have the blades turning on a gravel path. Avoid long grass that might hide a hidden hazard.
If the mower should strike something the engine should be turned off immediately and the damage inspected.
Avoid using the machine in reverse.
Mowing on a slope can be particularly hazardous and very often the machine may not be easily controlled. With a walking mower it is better to mow across a slope rather than risk injury by falling under the blades, tripping or slipping on a vertical slope. On a sit-on it is safer to mow up and down a slope to avoid being tipped over.
Switch off the mower and wait until the blades are motionless before:
Crossing gravel paths, roads and other paving.
Touching the grass cuttings collector.
Freeing any clogged grass.
Leaving and walking away from the machine. Always remember with sit-on mowers to take the key away with you.
Children
Keep children away from the area you plan to mow. Children are often attracted to mowers and should be made aware of the dangers.
It is always a good practice to search the area before mowing for sticks, rocks, children's toys or any article which could damage the mower or worse, cause an accident or injury.
Never allow children to ride as passengers on sit-on lawn mowers or garden tractors.
When leaving a sit-on mower unattended always take the key away with you to avoid tempting a child to play with the machine.
rdening.
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| Strimming Safety Advice Before Use
check fuel and oil levels, and air cleaner
learn controls and know how to start and stop the machine in any emergency
lubricate all grease/ oil points
ensure all shields/ guards are undamaged and secured in place
check the condition and security of the blades. Ensure the cord length is 150mm for efficient operation
hold the machine firmly when starting and ensure the blade is clear of the ground and is not a danger to others.
Protective clothing and Safety Equipment.
Operators must wear Safety Boots incorporating steel toe-caps, a Safety Helmet incorporating eye and ear protection, and gloves.
Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing
Never allow children or untrained operators to operate the equipment.
During Use
Operate the machine from RIGHT to LEFT
keep a sharp lookout for obstacles
never make adjustments/ repairs with the engine running - other than carburettor adjustments. Always switch off and remove the plug lead.
never touch any moving parts
disconnect the plug lead if leaving the machine unattended
do not allow anyone within a 10 metre radius of the work area
cover the blade when transporting or storing
do not operate for long periods without a break
take extra care when working on slippery surfaces
stop engine when filling petrol tank
do not fill petrol tank on a grass surface.
After Use
clean machine thoroughly
examine the machine for loose or damaged components and replace
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