Cutting The Grass Safely Is Not as Simple as It Looks

As summer approaches, the sound of the buzz and hum of lawnmowers busily clipping the grass becomes familiar. The operators of the mowers are often youngsters or others who are new to the job. According to North Dakota State University agriculture safety specialist George Maher, there is an increased risk of injury on the job when the operator is inexperienced and unaware of the hazards of the work being done.

"Mowing a lawn seems like a very simple job, but there is more to it, if it is to be done safely and without an accident," Maher said.

Safe, protective clothing should be the first concern for the operator, according to Maher. Leather footwear is a necessity. A sturdy pair of shoes will reduce the degree of injury if feet were to slip into the blade. Mowing the lawn while barefoot or in sandals is an invitation to disaster, Maher said. Long pants are also a good idea. They may deflect objects flying out from under the mower deck.

The maturity of the individual is more important than age in determining when a person may start operating a lawn mower. "Some are mature enough at nine years of age while others are not mature enough at 16," Maher said. A couple of characteristics to help you decide if your child is ready to operate the lawn mower are: How capable is your youngster at making decisions while under pressure? Does he or she panic or is their stability in the thinking process? Is your child responsible? Does he or she own up to mistakes that are made?

Newer mowers have more protective shields and features than older ones, making them safer. A shield helps keep feet from slipping under the rear of the mower deck and another deflects clippings and other things downward as they are blown out. Newer mowers also have a safety break that stops the engine and mower blade quickly when the grip on the handle is released. The design of the starter cord is located better so feet are less likely to encounter the blade. Refueling is also designed to be safer.

"Careful maintenance of these safety features will help to keep your mower safer for years to come," Maher said.

It is good practice to use mowing patterns that direct the mower clippings in a safe direction away from people, pets, and houses. The lawn should be cleared of toys and other objects that could be hit with the mower blade. Maher said, "Solid objects, other that grass, can fly from the impact with a mower blade with dangerous force, more than enough to cause bodily injury."

Push mowers should be used across the slopes to reduce the chances of your foot slipping under the mower and being cut by the blade. For the same reason, a mower should not be pulled through the grass as you walk backwards, slipping will put a foot in the blade.

Mow up and down slopes with riding lawn mowers. "It is dangerous to lean way on the uphill side of a riding mower just to keep your balance. It is difficult to imagine that no injuries would result when a riding mower tips and rolls down the hill as you roll right along with it," Maher said.

Maher recommended letting mowers cool down before. "Many older mowers have the exhaust muffler close to the fuel tank. The gasoline vapors could easily ignite on a hot muffler," he says.

When the job is finished and the mower has cooled down, disconnect the spark plug and clean the mower of grass clippings. This will reduce the chances that the mower will overheat during the next use. The fuel tank can then be refilled and the oil level checked after cleaning the mower.

"Safe mowing practices are not complicated. Common sense and a few precautions can help insure a safe mowing season with no injuries," Maher said.

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