While often peaceful, the garden or landscape is not always
the safest place to work.
No one really wants to lose fingers or toes in a lawn mower
accident, finish a great day in the garden with a strained back, or spend an
afternoon in the emergency room recovering from heat injury. These are just not fun experiences. Yet, all too often, a day in the yard ends up
with someone in pain. Safety should be a
topic of concern for all who work outdoors.
People find all kinds of ways to hurt themselves. Lawn mower accidents, dehydration, muscle
strains, flying debris injuries, cuts, punctures, and a whole host of other
problems can afflict those who work in gardens and landscapes.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH), 789 traumatic injury deaths occurred among landscape
service workers and their first line supervisors between 2003 and 2006. While most of these deaths, about 33%, were
related to transportation to and from jobs, a good many were due to falls,
being struck by falling objects, and electrocutions. Of those deaths reported, 318, about 40%, occurred
around private residences.
While news of fatalities can be quite sobering, other less
serious accidents can significantly impact lives. A strained back, for example, is still a
painful injury and can take its toll on an individual’s overall productivity. If all it takes is a little training,
experience, and vigilant awareness to prevent injury or death, it just makes no
sense to ignore safe practices.
The best way to prevent a lot of injuries is to dress
correctly for the job. Properly fitting,
long or short-sleeved shirts and long pants prevent injury from the sun as well
as from scratches and pokes. High-top,
lace up boots and shoes with traction soles and steel-reinforced toes provide
support and protection to feet, and ankles.
Is it really a good idea to run a power mower in sandals, flip-flops, or
bare-feet? All it takes is one mistake
and a trip to the emergency room is added to the day’s list of things to
do. Give yourself a break and cover up
those feet.
If you use a string trimmer or other high velocity piece of
equipment that could fling pebbles, twigs, or other loose material, think about
investing in a face shield or goggles to protect your eyes from dust and flying
particles. Yes, this equipment can be a
little uncomfortable during the summer heat, but a little temporary heat rash
is much better than permanent blindness.
If the conditions are dry and dusty, it is a good idea to
use a dust mask or other type of respiratory protection. I use a mask each time I run the blower over
the carport, unless the wind is blowing fast enough to keep the air around my
face clear.
If you work around trees outdoors, you may want to purchase
a plastic “bump” hat. A friend of mine
once asked me when the tree in his front yard would “grow up” far enough to
give him room to mow his lawn without hitting his head on a low branch. I had to tell him that trees do not grow that
way. I suggested that he either prune
back that low hanging branch or invest in head protection.
I rarely work outside without a good pair of gloves. I like a pair of inexpensive but sturdy
leather gloves for almost all jobs. Mine
have a cloth or canvas backing for coolness during the summer, but sturdy
leather covering the palms. A good pair
of gloves will protect the hands from cuts, scrapes, chemical or thermal burns,
and vibrating equipment. In the summer,
gloves will also offer protection from scorpion stings or spider bites while
you are gathering loose litter or other materials.
Before you use any power equipment, read the
directions. The directions will give you
suggestions for safe operation of the equipment. This is especially true of power mowers,
string trimmers, and hedging shears.
Many hand tools also offer suggestions for safe use. It is always in our best interest to learn
and follow the recommendations. I still
have a scar on the tip of one finger where I got in a hurry, was working
without gloves, and nipped the tip of my finger with a pair of hand operated
grass shears. It frequently reminds me
to remember and practice safety rules.
We often work with a variety of lawn or garden
chemicals. Fertilizers, insecticides,
weed products, and fuel for power equipment are commonly used by
“do-it-yourselfers” as well as professionals.
All chemicals present a variety of hazards and must be used
correctly. The best source of
information to correctly mix, use, and store chemicals is the label. The label is a legal document and will
provide key information for safe use.
Gasoline and other combustible fuels should be safely stored and
carefully used to prevent burns and toxic reactions from inhalation and
ingestion. If instructions say to use
protective clothing and equipment, use them.
Most outdoor people
know the value of getting the chores done early in the summertime. An early start when the air is still
relatively cool will go a long way towards preventing heat injuries and
dehydration. Plan to be out of the yard
or in the pool by the time the temperatures near 100 degrees F. Temperatures over the magic three digit mark
will quickly draw the energy right out of you and perhaps lead to heat
exhaustion or even worse, heat stroke.
Be sure to drink plenty of water during your work session. Staying hydrated will help ward off heat
injury.
Don’t even get me started on safety violations while pruning
trees and shrubs! Over the years, I have
seen a lot of mistakes resulting in some devastating accidents, accidents that
could have been avoided by simply following a few basic rules.
A most important rule, and one that is commonly violated, is
“use the right tool for the job.” For
example, never use a circular saw for pruning large branches out of a
tree. One slip and the blade hits the
leg. I have heard of too many who made
this mistake and have ended up fighting for their lives. When a hand tool is required for pruning, use
a pruning saw and not a woodworking saw.
Pruning saws always cut on the “pull” stroke and not the “push” stroke
as a protection from falls and other injuries.
Putting pressure on the pull stroke gives the operator better control
and stability on a ladder. If you must
use a chain saw, for crying out loud, know what you are doing. Watching people work out of balance on a
ladder or hanging precariously in a tree with a chain saw strikes terror in my
heart. Let’s be safe out there!
No matter what the job, working safely outdoors requires
training, experience, and vigilant awareness.
Whether working with power tools, lifting heavy loads, or working in hot
weather, we can be safe from injury if we exercise caution and a little common
sense.
If you have questions, you can reach one of the Master
Gardeners at the Cooperative Extension office, 820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Building
C, in Casa Grande. The telephone is
(520) 836-5221, extension 204. The
author’s email address is gibsonrd@ag.arizona.edu.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity,
affirmative action institution. The
University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its
programs and activities.
Rick Gibson
Extension Agent, Agriculture
University of Arizona
