D E C E M B E R 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 15
THE ACCIDENT: A
lawn maintenance em-
ployee is operating a ZTR
mower to mulch leaves.
When the bag is full
on the mower, he rides
the mower 20 feet to a
levee to dump the bag
of leaves. He is backing
up near the edge of the
levee when the mower
slides 10 to 15 feet into
the river. The employee
drowns.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Do not mow near drop-
offs, ditches, embank-
ments or steep slopes.
The wheels on the mower and attachments can
drop off or slide over the edge. Instead, use a
walk-behind mower or string trimmer to cut
grass in these locations.
Here are other safe mower operation tips
when working around slopes or embankments.
s Don't make sharp turns at high speeds, es-
pecially on a hill. Also avoid abrupt starts and
stops.
s Keep the heavy end uphill to avoid a rollover.
s Mow up and down slopes — not across — with
riding mowers. For walk-behind mowers, mow
across slopes.
s Before mowing, look at the area that will be
mowed to note elevation changes or other
obstacles. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
s Read and follow directions in the equipment
operator's manual. Know the maximum slope
the equipment can safely be operated.
s Wear the proper personal protective equipment
(PPE) when operating mowers: close-fi tting
clothes, no jewelry, long pants, non-slip boots,
safety glasses and hearing protection.
s Perform safety inspections before operating the
mower, including checking for loose or dam-
aged belts, looking for fl uid leaks, checking
blades and cleaning the mower deck.
Read more Safety Watch articles at
totallandscapecare.com/safetywatch.
On the Edge
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
Steer clear of embankments and steep slopes
ILLUSTRATION BY DON LOMAX
