Did you know that there are over 180,000 lawn mower
accidents around the world every year? There are two general types of mower
that fall under this category – the walk-behind type, which you push, and the
riding type, which you sit on top of. Whilst both mowers are very different,
they can pose some of the same dangers that invariably lead to accidents. We
have found that being aware of the more common accidents can help you to avoid
them.
Contact with the
cutting blade
The leading cause of accidents is probably the most obvious – contact with the blade. Even though we know it is sharp and dangerous, some people will still place their hands or feet close to the blade (often in an attempt to clear away debris). Other times, people have slipped and their hands or feet have gone underneath the mower without intention.
The leading cause of accidents is probably the most obvious – contact with the blade. Even though we know it is sharp and dangerous, some people will still place their hands or feet close to the blade (often in an attempt to clear away debris). Other times, people have slipped and their hands or feet have gone underneath the mower without intention.
Contact with a thrown
object
Another common cause of accidents is a result of objects (such as small stones) being launched into the air from underneath the lawn mower. The tip of the blade can mover as fast as 300kph and has been known to project small objects as far as 50ft. Because of the speed at which these objects are thrown, they can cause serious injury to the face.
Another common cause of accidents is a result of objects (such as small stones) being launched into the air from underneath the lawn mower. The tip of the blade can mover as fast as 300kph and has been known to project small objects as far as 50ft. Because of the speed at which these objects are thrown, they can cause serious injury to the face.
Contact with hot
surfaces
People may burn themselves by touching hot surfaces on the mower, such as the exhaust system. Whilst uncommon, the presence of a fuel leak can also lead to fire – the vapour can catch alight if it comes into contact with a spark from the ignition or an abnormally hot surface. A fire can cause serious burns if it spreads quickly and without notice.
People may burn themselves by touching hot surfaces on the mower, such as the exhaust system. Whilst uncommon, the presence of a fuel leak can also lead to fire – the vapour can catch alight if it comes into contact with a spark from the ignition or an abnormally hot surface. A fire can cause serious burns if it spreads quickly and without notice.
Overturning (ride on
mowers)
This type of accident really only applies to riding mowers. Under certain conditions (usually in the presence of a hill or slope), the machine can overturn – it could fall on top of the operator or cause them to come into contact with the blade or it could cause the fuel tank to rupture (which is a nasty fire hazard). Rollover prevention devices are not always enough.
This type of accident really only applies to riding mowers. Under certain conditions (usually in the presence of a hill or slope), the machine can overturn – it could fall on top of the operator or cause them to come into contact with the blade or it could cause the fuel tank to rupture (which is a nasty fire hazard). Rollover prevention devices are not always enough.
Reverse over (ride on mowers)
This is another type of accident that really only applies to riding lawn mowers. Because these machines provide limited visibility, it is not unheard of for an operator to reverse over a person standing behind them (usually a child). The noise that the machine makes can also make it harder for an operator to hear a cry of warning.
This is another type of accident that really only applies to riding lawn mowers. Because these machines provide limited visibility, it is not unheard of for an operator to reverse over a person standing behind them (usually a child). The noise that the machine makes can also make it harder for an operator to hear a cry of warning.
Crashing into
stationary objects
When ascending or even descending a steep a hill, the brakes (or the person, in the case of a walk-behind mower) may not be strong enough to allow for gentle movement. This can often cause the machine to go plummeting towards to the bottom of the hill and overturning, running over the operator or even crashing into a tree or other object.
When ascending or even descending a steep a hill, the brakes (or the person, in the case of a walk-behind mower) may not be strong enough to allow for gentle movement. This can often cause the machine to go plummeting towards to the bottom of the hill and overturning, running over the operator or even crashing into a tree or other object.
Now that you are aware of some of the more common accidents
associated with lawnmowers, we hope that you now know what to look out for.
Avoid touching the blade at all costs (unless the machine has been turned off),
clear the lawn of any potential missiles prior to cutting, avoid touching hot
surfaces until they’ve had enough time to cool, steer in a way that prevents
overturning, look behind before reversing, and mow across hills (instead of up
and down).
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