"Cutting Edge Safety: Essential Safety Tips for Lawn Care Pros"

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🤝 Digging Deep: Cutting Edge Mower and Trimmer Safety
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🧮 Mulch Calculator, Mower Safety Video,SDS library
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🕳️ DIGGING DEEP
🛠️ Deep Dive into Mowing and Trimming Safety: Essential Tips for Lawn Care Professionals 🌱

Lawn care and landscape work can be as rewarding as it is challenging, but safety should always come first. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the industry, equipment like mowers and trimmers can pose serious hazards if not handled properly.

That’s why today’s deep dive focuses on the most critical safety practices for operating these tools to protect not only your team but also your business.

Unfortunately, I have seen the aftermath of several accidents. Some were just stupid. I remember going to the hospital to see a worker that had cut off some fingers.

He had decided to lower the height of the mower deck on a commercial Honda walk-behind. Instead of using the foot lever, he reached under the deck while the mower was running.

I had an employee in a truck that thought it would be funny to reach out the window and touch someone in another work truck driving the opposite way. His arm was badly broken when it was caught inside the other truck’s window.

 A tech pulling a spray rig with a PTO decided to fill his tank while the PTO was running. His sleeve got caught in the PTO and he lost most of his hand and broke his arm. 

At a business I was working with in Alabama, a tech on a stand-on z-sprayer type machine flipped up a pipe that ended up severing his leg completely in half.  

I could keep going with examples, but prefer to give you some advice on prevention. In all of these cases, the employees were given safety training on a regular basis.

Let’s break down the key areas of focus that every lawn care company should prioritize in employee safety training, ensuring you’re prepared for the job while minimizing risks.

Take Control of Your Own Safety

Before we get into the technicalities, let’s address the #1 cause of accidents on job sites: human error. Being proactive in your safety approach is critical. Here are the most common mowing accident risks and how to mitigate them:

• Rollover Accidents: For riding mowers, sprayers, and similar equipment tipping over is one of the leading causes of fatalities in lawn and landscaping. Employees need to:

  • Avoid operating equipment on steep slopes.

  • Never make sharp turns at high speeds.

  • Always use rollover protection structures (ROPS) and wear seat belts when available.

  • Make sure warning lights and buzzers that indicate dangerous slopes are not unhooked.

• Equipment Moving Parts: Workers often get injured by reaching into or near equipment without proper shutdown procedures. Golden rule:

  • Always shut off the machine and disconnect power (or spark plugs) before attempting maintenance.

Gear Up: The Role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Imagine mowing a lawn or trimming hedges without the right safety gear—exposed feet, no hearing protection, or improper eyewear. It’s a risk no company should take. Protecting employees begins with equipping them properly.

What to wear:

• Close-fitting clothing: Loose sleeves or pants can easily get caught in moving parts.

• Long pants and sturdy, non-slip boots (steel-toe preferred): These shield legs and feet from debris that blades send flying at up to 200 mph!

• Safety glasses and face shields: Absolutely essential since flying objects or thrown debris injuries are common in this field. Add face shields when operating trimmers.

• Hearing protection: Over time, operating loud machines like mowers can damage hearing. Use earmuffs or plugs, particularly when noise exceeds OSHA’s daily 85 dB safe limit.

Ensure employees understand that PPE saves lives and is non-negotiable—particularly on high-risk jobs.

Prepare the Mowing Area Like a Pro

Before even starting a mower or trimmer, the work zone must be prepped for safety. A simple yet overlooked step, this reduces unexpected hazards and quickens workflow.

How your team should prepare:

• Remove debris: Rocks, sticks, wires, bottles—they may seem harmless on the ground but can turn into dangerous projectiles if hit by moving blades.

• Scan for risks: Educate employees to look for ditches, embankments, or wet/slippery slopes in advance.

• Check the mowing chute direction; it should always point away from coworkers, bystanders, buildings, animals, and traffic.

Pro Tip: Mow with a plan. Train workers to identify the safest paths to prevent high-risk maneuvers on steep inclines or wet ground.

Don’t Skimp on Equipment Maintenance

Your equipment is the backbone of your business, but when maintenance is neglected, it’s an accident waiting to happen. Regular upkeep prevents malfunctions and ensures safety.

Maintenance musts:

• Keep all safety guards intact (never operate without blade shields or discharge chutes in place).

• Inspect belts, blades, cables, and tires before every job.

• NEVER reach into running machines, and always fuel equipment when it’s off and cool.

• Use proper tools—invest in a mower jack or equipment lift. Manual lifting leads to injuries like back strains.

Landscaping with Hazard Awareness

The unique settings lawn care professionals work in often come with environmental hazards that aren’t immediately obvious. Train your team to recognize and respond to the challenges of every worksite:

• Wet Grass: Slippery surfaces can lead to employees falling into rotating blades, losing traction, or even rollovers with riding mowers. Extreme caution here is critical.

• Proximity to Bystanders and Coworkers: Trimmers and mowers can launch debris at high speeds. Always maintain a clear zone of at least 10 feet.

• Traffic Awareness: If mowing near roads, ensure operators use highly visible clothing or markers to alert oncoming cars.

Trimmer-Specific Safety

Hedge trimmers may seem simpler than mowers, but they have their distinct safety considerations. Ensure operators:

• Keep both hands on the trimmer (fatigue accidents often result from mishandling).

• Stay away from windows or other fragile surfaces.

• Avoid overhead trimming or use on ladders—keep both feet firmly on the ground!

Leaders Lead by Example

Safety isn’t just about rules—it’s about modeling proper worksite behavior. Supervisors and team leaders should actively reinforce safety measures and create a culture where employees feel empowered to speak up about hazards. Remind your employees:

• It’s okay to step back and slow down if they feel unsafe.

• Fatigue or rushing causes mistakes. Teams should rotate duties for rest.

• Speak up if equipment feels unsafe without fear of retaliation—their voice matters, and so does their safety.

Build Safe Habits for Life

By taking a preventative, proactive approach to safety, you keep injuries at bay AND boost team confidence. Here are a few rules employees can repeat like a mantra:

• "Always push—never pull—a mower."

• "Turn OFF and cool machinery before inspecting or fueling."

• "Close-fitting clothes, sturdy boots, and eye protection are a must."

• "Safety guards save lives."

Running a lawn care company means juggling many priorities—safety training doesn’t have to be one you overcomplicate. By focusing on these key risk areas—from employee PPE to equipment maintenance and hazard awareness—you’ll not only protect your employees but also improve workplace efficiency and compliance.

Pass this knowledge along to your team and encourage their participation in shaping a safer worksite every day. When everyone is involved, safety becomes second nature—and your team becomes unstoppable.

I have a free mowing safety video you can use to show your workers. You can find and download the video below in the resources section.

Stay safe out there, and stay safe! 🌿