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

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

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

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

Pre-work activities

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

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

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

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

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

Personal Protective Equipment• Safety glasses

• Fitted abrasion-resistant gloves

• Long-sleeved shirt and pants

• Hearing protection

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

Personal Protective Equipment• Work boots that lace up above

the ankle and have good tread

• Reflective vest, if working near a roadway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When using the blower

• 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

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

When using the blower

• 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

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

Edger safety

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

• Setting the edger on level and stable ground

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

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

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

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

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

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

When using the edger

• Wear work boots with good tread

• Pay attention to your surroundings

• Wet grass can be very slippery

• Wear appropriate hearing protection

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

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

When using the edger

• Wear abrasion-resistant gloves

• Watch footing on slopes

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

• Stop operations when pedestrians are nearby

• Never leave the machine running and unattended

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

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

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

String trimmer safety

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

• Setting the trimmer on level, stable ground

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

• 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

• Avoid using your back to pull

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

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

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

When using the string trimmer• Always operate with guard attached

• Wear work boots with good tread

• Pay attention to your surroundings

• Wear appropriate hearing protection

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

When using the string trimmer• Always face traffic and wear

high-visibility safety vest

• Wear abrasion-resistant gloves

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

• Stop operations when pedestrians are nearby

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Avoid using your back to pull

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

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

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

When using the push mower

• Wear work boots with good tread

• Pay attention to surroundings

• Wet grass can be very slippery

• Wear appropriate hearing protection

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

When using the push mower

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

• Wear abrasion-resistant gloves

• Mow across hills or slopes, never up or down

• When turning, avoid raising front wheels too high

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

When using the push mower

• Stop operations when pedestrians are nearby

• Never leave the machine running and unattended

• Watch the direction of the discharge carefully

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

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

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

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

Review

• Always inspect the area before beginning work

• Always wear required Personal Protective Equipment

• Use equipment safely

• Properly maintain equipment