to make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely
TRANSCRIPT
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To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
![Page 35: To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062717/56649e585503460f94b51699/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
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