Keep Your Hands Safe: Follow Lawnmower Safety
Tips
Introduction
Each year,
more than 74,000 small children, adolescents and adults are injured by rotary,
hand and riding power mowers due to the improper handling of lawnmowers. It is
the purpose of the Hand Therapists as ASHT is to provide you with patient
information to help you avoid these injuries.
Kinetics
of Rotary Power Lawnmowers
Kinetic (motion) energy imparted by the standard blade is comparable to the
energy generated by dropping a 21-pound weight from a height of 100 feet or
equal to three times the muzzle energy of a .357 Magnum pistol. Blade speed can
eject a piece of wire or object up to 100 miles per hour.
Injury
Profile
Adults 25-64 years
Children under age five
22% involve wrist, hand or finger
14% involve foot, ankle or toes
25% of all hand and foot injuries result in amputation
Deaths occurred in children under six years of age
Common
Injury Patterns
Direct contact with rotating or jammed blade
Serious avulsion (tearing/separating) injuries to soft tissue and bones
Gross contamination from contact with grass and soil harboring pathogens
Injuries requiring multiple staged surgeries to cleanse wounds and provide soft
tissue coverage (to regenerate healthy tissue/skin)
Common
Weather Conditions
Wet grass
Damp ground
Other
Causes of Injury
Passengers (adult/child) on riding mowers or in cart towed behind mower
Mower being pulled backward
Sloping lawn mowed by power mower up and down slope, instead of across
Sloping lawn mowed by riding mower across slope, instead of up and down
Wearing sandals or open-toed shoes
Operator attempts to unclog blades with hand or foot
In addition to the
injuries caused by the blade
Some
people develop tendonitis in their elbow / wrist due to overuse or incorrect use
of the tool
Before
mowing perform stretches by keeping the elbow straight, palm facing downward
then bend the wrist down with the other hand, thus pointing the fingers down.
Hold the position for a count of 10.
Then,
keeping the elbow straight, palm facing upward then bend the wrist down, thus
pointing the fingers down with the other hand.
Hold the position for a count of 10.
Do
these stretches before starting the job and take frequent breaks and perform
these stretches
When
mowing try not to keep the elbow straight, it takes more energy, keep the arms
close to the body and wrist in neutral (straight) position.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Lawnmowers are
safe if used properly.
Remember
the following:
Read your mower's instruction manual prior to use. DO NOT REMOVE safety devices
or guards on switches.
NEVER insert hands or feet into the mower to remove grass or debris. Even with
the motor turned off the blade remains engaged.
ALWAYS use a stick or broom handle to remove any obstruction.
NEVER cut grass when it is wet or when the ground is damp.
NEVER allow a child to operate the mower at any time or be in the area to be
mowed.
NEVER allow passengers, other than the operator, on riding mowers.
Keep your mower in good working order with sharp blades.
DO NOT DRINK before or while using your lawnmower.
Wear protective boots, goggles, gloves and long pants. Do not operate the
lawnmower while barefoot.
Be cautious when mowing hills or slopes.
REMEMBER
— SAFETY FIRST AT ALL TIMES!
