To make employees aware of potential hazards and methods for operating small-engine equipment safely

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.

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.

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.

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 lots SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

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.

Personal Protective Equipment Safety glasses Fitted abrasion-resistant gloves Long-sleeved shirt and pants Hearing protection

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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