Outdoor Power Equipment Safety Tips

OPEESA wants to be sure consumers use outdoor power equipment safely. By understanding proper operating procedures and knowing the potential hazards, users can be assured of an effective and efficient experience.

Following are general safety tips that apply to many types of outdoor power equipment.

Clear the area of debris or other objects before operating equipment. Injuries can easily result from rocks, sticks and other objects that are ejected by the equipment.
Clear the area of people and pets, especially young children. While they may be fascinated by the equipment and beg to ride on it or be near it; the safest place for them is inside the house with an adult watching to be sure they don’t wander outside.
Be sure to wear substantial shoes, long pants and close-fitting clothes.
Wear safety glasses or goggles. ·
Read the operator's manual. Know how to stop the machine quickly.
Do not remove or disable guards or other safety devices.

Chain Saws

Gasoline-Powered Chain Saws are designed to cut and trim tree and shrub branches. These powerful tools operate at high engine speeds to propel the chain through a wood surface and make a quick cut.

Before Using Gasoline-Powered Chain Saws

Protect yourself by wearing:
- 1. Safety footwear.
- 2. Snug-fitting clothing.
- 3. Protective chaps.
- 4. Protective gloves.
- 5. Eye, hearing, and head protection devices.
Carry the chain saw with the engine stopped, the guide bar and saw chain to the rear, and the muffler away from your body. ·
Don't cut until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat bath from the falling tree.
Be careful handling fuel. Move the chain saw at least 10 feet (3m) from the fueling point before starting the engine.
Do not allow other people near the chain saw when starting or cutting with it. Keep bystanders and animals out of the work area.
Make sure the saw chain is not contacting anything before starting the engine.
Check that the cutting area is free of obstructions. Don't let the nose of the guide bar contact a log, branch, or other obstruction that could be hit while you are operating the saw.
Do not operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or not completely and securely assembled. Make sure the saw chain stops moving when you release the throttle control trigger. ·
Do not operate when you are tired. Excessive vibration, noise, emissions, and uncomfortable positions may cause fatigue.

Do You Understand Chain Saw "Kickback?"

Kickback may occur when the nose or tip of the guide bar touches an object or when the wood closes in and pinches the saw chain in the cut. Tip contact may cause a lightning-fast reverse reaction, kicking the guide bar up and back toward the operator. ·
Pinching the saw chain along the top of the guide bar may push the guide bar rapidly back toward the operator. Either of these reactions may cause you to lose control of the saw, which could result in serious personal injury.
Do not rely exclusively upon the safety devices built into your saw. As a chain saw user, you should take several steps to keep you cutting jobs free from accident or injury.

Operate Your Gasoline-Powered Chain Saw Carefully

Reduce or eliminate the element of surprise by understanding how kickback happens.
Keep all body parts away from the saw chain when engine is running.
Do not operate a chain saw with one hand! Serious injury to the operator, helpers, bystanders, or others may result from one-handed operation. Chain saws are designed for two-handed use.
Keep a good, firm grip on the saw with both hands when the engine is running. Keep the right hand on the rear handle and the left hand on the front handle. Use a firm grip with thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handles. A firm grip will help you reduce kickback and maintain control of the saw. Don't let go.
Cut at high engine speeds.
Don't overreach or cut above shoulder height.
Use extreme caution when cutting small-size brush and saplings because slender material may catch the saw chain and be whipped toward you or pull you off balance.
When cutting a limb that is under tension, be alert for springback so that you will not be struck when the tension in the wood fibers is released.
Keep the handles dry, clean, and free of oil or fuel mixture.
Operate the chain saw only in well-ventilated areas. ·
Do not operate a chain saw in a tree unless you have been specifically trained to do so.
Shut off the engine before setting the chain saw down.

Edgers and Trimmers

Walk-behind fixed-blade edger/trimmers are gas or electric powered units designed to trim, cut and remove grass from edges of sidewalks, driveways, lamp posts, rocks, etc. by employing rigid cutting members, and having at least one ground-support.

Before Using Your Edger/Trimmer ·

Always remove stones, sticks and other objects from the area before you begin trimming so that objects won't fly up and hit you. Clear the area of people and pets.
Fill your gasoline tank only while the engine is cold. Don't spill when you fill. If you need to refuel the edger/trimmer before completing a task, turn off the machine and allow the engine to cool. Never light a match or smoke around gasoline.

Operate Your Edger/Trimmer Carefully

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts while engine is running. Keep feet away from cutting area.
Stop the engine when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads, and under any conditions where thrown objects might be a hazard.
After striking a foreign object or if a unit vibrates abnormally, stop the engine, disconnect and secure spark plug wire. Inspect the unit for any damage and repair the damage before further operation.
Hold handles firmly with both hands to prevent loss of control due to blade bounce upon contact with hidden solid objects.
When transporting the machine to the area that needs to be trimmed, make sure the blade is disengaged so that you do not damage blade, lawn, curbs or pavement.
Before attempting any adjustment of blade and wheels, make certain the engine is off, the blade is disengaged and the spark plug wire removed.
When using an electric-powered edger/trimmer, make sure you never cross over the cord. Use recommended, grounded extension cords and check periodically for worn or damaged cords.

Lawnmowers

Walk-Behinds

Walk-behind rotary mowers are push or self-propelled cutting machines, either gas or electric powered. Approximately 75 percent of walk-behind mowers are used to mow lawns 1/2 acre or smaller. Standard Safety Feature Operator Presence Control (OPC) System -- As mandated by the federal government, every walk-behind rotary lawnmower must have an operator presence control system. The OPC insures that the blade comes to a complete stop within three seconds after the blade control is released.

Before Mowing

When using a gas powered mower, fill your gasoline tank while the engine is cold. Don't spill when you fill. If you need to refuel before completing a task, turn off the machine and allow the engine to cool.
Never light a match or smoke around gasoline.
Always start the mower outdoors.

Operate Your Lawnmower Carefully

Never mow wet grass. You may slip on wet grass, and your mower is more likely to clog.
Always turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire, if accessible, before attempting to unclog or work on the mower. Then use a stick if possible to remove the clog. Avoid having your hands near the blade.
Always shut off the engine when adjusting the mower height. Always turn the mower off when crossing a sidewalk or drive.
Mow in sufficient daylight, looking 3 feet to 4 feet ahead for debris. · Always watch your footing on slopes. Mow across an incline and never mow an incline that is too steep for balance and control.
Never pull the mower towards you. Always push in a forward direction.
Keep the mower flat. Never lift the mower.
Stop the mower immediately and turn it off if you hit an object. Inspect the machine and repair any damage before starting the machine.
When using an electric powered mower with a cord, always use recommended, grounded extension cords. Never use a cord that's cut or damaged. Mow away from the cord and always unplug immediately after use.

Ride-Ons

Rear-Engine Riding Mowers and Front-Engine Lawn Tractors are self-propelled riding vehicles generally designed for mowing lawns. Nearly 50% of rear-engine riding mowers are used for lawns 1/2 to 1 acre in size, while lawn tractors are generally used for areas larger than one acre. Although both may offer options such as sweeper or snow thrower attachments, they are not powerful enough to pull a plow.

Before Operating Your Ride-On

Fill your gasoline tank only when the engine is cold. If you need to refuel before completing a job, turn off the machine and allow the engine to cool. Don't spill when you fill. Never light a match or smoke around gasoline. Keep children out of the mowing area.

Operate Riding Mowers & Tractors Carefully

Always start the machine from the operator's seat. Never start the machine while standing beside the tractor.
Riding mowers and tractors are one-person machines. Operate from the drivers seat only and never carry any passengers, especially children. Keep both feet on the machine at all times.
Take care not to throw a unit in gear accidentally and have it jerk ahead unexpectedly. ·
When operating the machine on unleveled ground, use extreme care. Always mow up and down slopes -- never across. Avoid sudden starts, stops or turns.
ecrease your speed when going down slopes or around sharp corners to prevent tipping. Maintain minimum ground speed and make turns wide and gradual.
Protect hands when handling the blades and other items which might be sharp, contain nicks or have metal burrs on the edges.
Never jump off the machine or dismount from moving equipment. Observe proper shutdown procedures before dismounting.

Leaf Blowers

There are hand-held and back pack gasoline engine-powered blowers, walk-behind blowers, and lawn vacuums with optional kits for conversion to blowers. This type of equipment makes it easy to get leaves and twigs off the lawn quickly.

Before Operating your Leaf Blower:

Never allow bystanders in the work area.
Use a dust mask in dusty or dirty conditions.

Operating Your Leaf Blower Safely

Never point the blower nozzle in the direction of people or pets.
Never operate in unventilated areas.
Take note of local ordinances -- hours of operation in residential areas may be limited.

Pressure Washer

For electric pressure washers, without built-in GFCls, the Commission recommends that electrical circuit being using protected by either a circuit breaker type GFCl or a receptacle type GFCI. If none of the available circuits is protected by a GFCI, portable GFCIs can be purchased at some retail Outlets. Be sure to test the GFCI, before using the pressure washer.

Before Washing

Power washers mix water and electicity and can be very dangerous if they are not properly grounds. When possible, select a machine that has a built-in GFCI. If the unit you own does nto have this, portable GFCIs can be purchased at some retail outlets. Be sure to test the GFCI before using the pressure washer.
NEVER allow children to operate a pressure washer. Keep children at a safe distance when an adult is using a pressure washer.
If an extension cord must be used, keep the power cord connection out of any standing water, and use a heavy duty, three-wire, properly grounded type. Keep the connection as far away as possible from the item being washed and away from any water runoff.
Wear rubber-soled footwear that provides some insulation when operating the pressure washer.
NEVER cut or splice the power cord or extension cords.
NEVER remove the grounding prong from the power cord plug!
NEVER operate the pressure washer after it has tripped a ground fault interrupter or circuit breaker without first having it examined for electrical faults by a competent repair person.

Snow Throwers - Think Safety In The Snow

Before Operating Your Show Thrower

The snow can sometimes hide objects that might clog the chute, or otherwise cause damage. You should clear the area of doormats, sleds, boards, wires, and other debris.
Be careful never to throw snow toward people or cars, and never allow anyone in front of your snow thrower.
If you have to repair your machine, remove an object or unclog built up snow from the auger blades or chute, always turn the snow thrower off and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop. Disconnect the spark plug wire, or for electric snow throwers, disconnect the cord.
Never put your hands inside the auger or chute - use a stick to unclog the snow thrower. Keep hands and feet away from all moving parts.
Dress properly for the job. Be sure to wear adequate winter garments and footwear that will improve footing on slippery surfaces.
Handle gas carefully. Avoid spillage by using non-spill containers with spouts. Fill up before you start, while the engine is cold. Store gas in a clean, dry, ventilated area, and never near a pilot light, stove, or heat source.
Never smoke around gasoline.

Operating Your Snow Thrower

Do not clear snow across the face of slopes. Use extreme caution when changing directions on slopes.
Do not attempt to clear steep slopes.
Never operate the snow thrower without good visibility or light. Always be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles.
Walk - never run.

Shredders/Grinders

Shredder-Grinders are designed to shred, grind, tear and pulverize a wide assortment of materials -- leaves, twigs, hedge clippings, brush and branches. While some shredders are made to shred and blow debris into a bag, heavier duty models produce compost from damp debris and leaves. These models shred the debris and force it through a screen back onto the ground.

Before Using Your Shredder-Grinder

Keep bystanders at least 25 feet away from equipment.
Fill your gasoline tank only while the engine is cold. Don't spill when you fill. If you need to refuel before completing a job, turn off the machine and allow the engine to cool. Never light a match or smoke around gasoline.

Operate Your Shredder-Grinder Safely

Operate your shredder-grinder on a level surface. Do not operate the shredder-grinder on a paved or gravel surface. Discharged material may bounce from a hard surface and cause personal injury.
Stand clear of the discharge area when operating your equipment.
Do not put face, hands, feet or any part of your body or clothing near the chute, hopper or discharge area.
If shredder-grinder becomes clogged, jammed or makes an unusual noise, shut the engine off. To avoid injury, make sure all moving parts have come to a complete stop. Rotating blades take time to stop after the engine is off.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and inspect the hopper, chute, internal chamber and discharge area. Use only a wooden stick to clear away jammed material. - Shredder-grinders are made for use with organic materials only. When feeding materials into the shredder-grinder, be extremely careful not to put pieces of metal, rocks, bottles or nails inside machine.
Do not allow shredded material to build up in or clog the discharge area -- clogging prevents proper discharge of materials and can result in kickback of material.
Do not overreach when feeding material into the shredder-grinder. Keep proper footing and balance at all times.
Do not transport or move your equipment while engine is running. .