Mowing and Trimming Safety – Part 4 of Part 4 Series

DANGERS

Run-overs – You can be injured or killed if you are run over by mowing equipment. Protect yourself by following these steps to avoid run-overs.

• Always start riding equipment from the operator’s seat. Do not start riding equipment while standing beside it.
• Never carry extra passengers, including children, on a riding mower.
• Never leave running equipment unattended. Always follow proper shut-down procedures.
• Watch for traffic and pedestrians when crossing or working near roads, driveways, parking lots, building corners, shrubs, trees and other blind spots. People, animals and traffic move quickly and may not realize they are in the path of danger. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Hitching, Unhitching Attachments
Use the following steps to avoid serious injury or death when hitching and unhitching attachments to an agricultural tractor.

• Hitch towed loads to the drawbar only.
• Never raise, lower or otherwise alter the drawbar. Hitching higher than the drawbar can cause a rear rollover.
• Refer to the operator’s manual for instructions on hitching attachments with hydraulics, a 3-point hitch or PTO shaft.
• Ensure all safety guards are in place and undamaged.
• Unhitch attachments on level ground only.
• Keep others out of the area between the tractor and the attachment or implement.

Obstacles
You can be seriously injured or killed if you run into obstacles while mowing. Follow these precautions to avoid obstacles.

• Always be looking ahead for obstacles.
• Watch for trees, buildings, overhangs and other obstructions.
• Allow enough room to safely pass between obstructions. Be careful not to get too close.
• Check overhead clearance before passing beneath branches, awnings and other obstructions.

Thrown Objects
Objects thrown from mowing equipment can cause severe injury. Follow these steps to protect yourself and others.

• Clear the work area before you begin. Pick up sticks, bottles, rocks, wires and other debris before you begin.
• Keep children and bystanders away from the area.
• Wear long pants to protect your legs from debris.
• Safety glasses should be worn at all times unless you are inside an enclosed cab.
• Safety glasses and a face shield should be worn when operating string and brush trimmers.
• Shut off equipment when crossing a sidewalk, driveway or road.

Traffic
Mowers are not made for street or highway travel. To be safe, load mowers and other equipment onto a trailer and pull them to the job site. When the mower must be moved short distances on a public roadway, keep the following safety tips in mind.

• Observe all traffic signals, signs and rules.
• Mount a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem on the back to indicate the mower is moving at a speed less than 25 mph.
• Use caution at intersections. Allow fast moving vehicles to go first. Make sure you have enough time to get through safely, without interrupting traffic flow.
• Use a flagger and highly visible warning cones to alert oncoming traffic when working near a public roadway. Place flaggers and cones far enough ahead of the work site so drivers have time to slow down.
• The equipment operator and the flagger should wear highly visible, reflective clothing.
• Do not stand in the road to trim grass or brush. Stand away from the road and watch for traffic.
• Do not park the mower on a public roadway. It creates a hazard for you and motorists. Park away from the road on a level surface if the mower must be left at a job site.

Article provided by:  Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service