Safety

As the weather grows warmer , remember to instill safe operating practices among your employees .

“ Think safety first ,” said Kris Kiser , president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute ( OPEI ). “ I can ’ t stress enough the importance of your employees , seasonal help and H2-B workers understanding and following manufacturer ’ s guidance for safe operation , especially mowers .”

OPEI offers the following tips to get your crews and their equipment ready for a safe season :

Identify the differences in your machines . Whether you ’ re using a zero-turn , ride-on , mid-mount , rear-mount or other type of mower , make sure you and your crewmembers understand their unique design , requirements , weight classification and other differences that impact how to use it safely .

Review equipment with your crews before the season gets rolling . Make sure all your workers understand the safety features of the equipment they are using , and that they are following manufacturer guidelines and on-product messages for safe operation . Do spot safety checks and incorporate safety checks into your morning roll-out .

Make sure safety features are operable . Figure out the safety features on all your equipment , and make sure they are operable . Do not disable or modify manufacturer-installed safety equipment . Be sure that you review this with your crew and check equipment .

Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for bystanders who may be nearby .

Walk the areas you intend to mow and remind crews to do so . Slopes , wet grass and weather may impact the equipment ’ s performance , as well as safe handling procedures . Remind everyone to pick up sticks and limbs that may have fallen to the ground and any loose objects that could be hit by a mower . Identify slopes in advance . Follow all manufacturer guidance regarding operating machinery on slopes .

Manufacturer-supplied owner ’ s manuals and guidance should be readily available . If you have lost the guidance supplied with the machine , look it up online and save a copy of it on your computer , print out a copy , in any language needed , for your employees and keep it in an easily accessible location . Do not remove on-product safety messages .

Look over equipment before use . Check the air filter , oil level and gasoline tank . Watch for loose belts and missing or damaged parts . Replace any parts needed or take your equipment to a qualified service representative . Check to be sure that you have the appropriate , manufacturer-recommended batteries , if needed .

Protect your power . Use only E10 or less fuel in gasolinepowered outdoor power equipment if it is not designed for higher ethanol blends . Add a fuel stabilizer if you don ’ t use up all the fuel in the tank right away . Burn off any fuel before storing the mower more than 30 days .

For battery-powered equipment , only use battery packs specified by the manufacturer . Follow all charging instructions as outlined in the owner ’ s manual . Be sure to store fuel and batteries safely . Keep batteries away from other metal objects , store them in a climate-controlled area , and never stack batteries .

Keep your equipment clean . It will run more efficiently and last longer . Always remove dirt , oil or grass before using and storing , and store equipment in a dry place , avoiding damp or wet environments .

Article provided by OPEI . For information on safe fueling , visit www . LookBeforeYouPump . com . For more safety information visit www . opei . org .

www . OPEBusiness . com April 2023 OPE Business 25