BMWC is a general contractor specializing in industrial piping systems and other specialties.  In support of Construction Safety Week 2014, a Safety Tip will be presented daily regarding safety at home. We value employees beyond their role on a jobsite. So,  It is important to understand that safety doesn’t end when you leave a job site, it is just as important to practice safety at home with your family.

Safety tip #1 is in regards to lawn mower safety.  Most of us have some sort of yard to take care of which means operating some sort of power operated mower.  As spring is here many have already made the first cut of the year.  Did you realize the energy transferred by a typical lawn mower blade is equivalent to being shot in the hand with a .357 Magnum pistol. The speed of the blade can send dirt and bacteria deep into a wound, creating a high risk for severe infection. In addition, a lawn mower can eject a piece of metal or wood up to 100 miles per hour.

In 2010, 253,000 people were treated for lawn mower-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children under age 19 account for nearly 17,000 of these injuries. The number of lawn mower-related injuries increased 3 percent since 2009.

Please keep the following tips in mind when maintaining your lawn:

Maintain Your Lawnmower

• Keep lawn mowers in good working order. When using a lawn mower for the first time in a season, have it serviced to ensure that it is working correctly.
• Be sure the motor is off before inspecting or repairing lawn mower equipment.
• Use a stick or broom handle (not your hands or feet) to remove debris in lawnmowers.

Operate Your Lawnmower Properly

• Read the instruction manual before using a lawnmower.
• Do not remove safety devices, shields, or guards on switches.
• Add fuel before starting the engine, not when it is running or hot.
• Do not leave a lawn mower unattended when it is running. If you must walk away from the machine, shut off the engine.
• Stay away from the engine cowling, as it can become very hot and burn unprotected flesh.

Use Caution

• Wear protective gloves, safety glasses, sturdy shoes, and long pants when you use lawn mowers. Never mow barefoot, or in sandals or flip flops.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages before operating a lawn mower.
• Hands and feet should never be used to touch the lawn mower blade under any circumstances, even if the engine is off. If there is debris obstructing the blade, once you clear it, the blade can quickly swing around and cause serious injury.

Keep Children Safe

• Teach children to stay away from all running lawn mowers.
• Children should not be allowed to play in or near where a lawn mower is being used.
• Never allow a child or another passenger to ride on a mower, even with parents. Doctors commonly see children with severe injuries to their feet caused by riding on the back of a rider mower with a parent or grandparent.
• Children should be at least 12 years of age before operating a push lawn mower, and age 16 to operate a riding lawn mower.

Consider the Terrain

• Remove stones, toys and other objects from the lawn before you start mowing.
• Use caution when mowing hills and slopes. Mow across slopes with a push mower to avoid pulling the mower over your feet if you happen to slip. Mow up and down slopes with a riding mower to prevent the mower from tipping over. Do not cut wet grass.