5 Essential Safety Tips for Using Outdoor Power Equipment
Whether you are using a mower, chain saw, string trimmer, or other outdoor power equipment, it’s important to take proper safety precautions. Consumer Reports has put together 5 Essential Safety Tips for Using Outdoor Power Equipment to help keep you and your family safe while you enjoy the outdoors this summer!
Wear Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Using the proper safety equipment is essential to protecting yourself from any danger that may arise while you are working. This means wearing hard hats and other gear designed to protect your head and neck from impacts or falling objects, as well as protecting your eyes from flying or electrical hazards.
Wearing the correct PPE can also save you from a serious injury or disease later on in life. For example, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos in the workplace.
Employers need to make sure their employees understand the importance of wearing certain types of personal protective equipment, including hard hats and safety goggles. Supervisors should model the proper use of these items during training sessions and on the job site whenever necessary.
The level of protection provided by different pieces of PPE depends on the type of hazard and how long the worker is expected to be exposed to it. Employers should assess the risk and decide what PPE is required.
Workers should be provided with sufficient PPE and any special items should be fitted correctly, to ensure that it is worn safely and correctly. They should be given training in its use, ensuring that they know how and where to wear it, how to clean it, and how to store it after use.
Providing PPE and maintaining compliance has a cost, but accidents are much more expensive than the money spent on PPE over a year. This means that employers should look at how they can minimize the need for PPE, especially where safety procedures and engineering controls can do the trick.
Read the Owner’s Manual
One of the most important safety tips for using outdoor power equipment is to read the owner’s manual. Not only will this help you know how to operate your equipment safely, but it also helps you avoid troubleshooting issues down the road.
It is essential to take the time to read the manual before attempting to use any new piece of equipment. It will provide important information about proper operating procedures and maintenance, including how to store your equipment properly during the off-season.
This is especially important if you are using a gas-powered piece of equipment. Depending on the model, the manufacturer may have different recommendations for fuel and storage.
Similarly, battery-powered pieces of equipment will need to be charged and stored with care. Batteries can become damaged or even explode if they are not stored correctly.
In addition, you will need to be aware of the maintenance schedule for your equipment. Fortunately, the owner’s manual will usually outline the required service intervals for your machine.
If you are unsure of what this maintenance schedule is, check your manufacturer’s website. You can also download the manufacturer’s equipment look-up tool, which can give you more detail on what your equipment needs and when it should be serviced.
Another crucial safety tip for using outdoor power equipment is to be sure to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes gloves, chaps, and eye protection. It is also important to stay hydrated and not operate your equipment when you are fatigued or have a low energy level.
Keeping these 5 essential safety tips in mind will help you keep your home and your family safe from the dangers of using outdoor power equipment. It will also help you avoid costly repairs or damage to your equipment in the future.
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Keep Your Fingers Out of the Machine
If you’re working with a power outdoor tool, always keep your fingers out of the machine. This is a simple but effective safety tip, and it can save you from injury.
Another great tip for using power equipment is to store it properly when not in use. This will help avoid fires caused by flammable materials like leaves and wood chips that can get caught in the machine.
Keeping your fingers out of the machine will also protect you from vibration-related injuries, which can cause numbness and tingling in your hands. Long exposure to vibrations can damage the nerves in your hands in the same way that a repetitive motion injury such as carpel tunnel syndrome does.
It’s also a good idea to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes a hard hat, safety glasses, and ear protection as well as gloves.
The best way to make sure you have the right PPE is to ask a professional about what they recommend. You can also check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if they have any recommendations or advice.
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Store Your Equipment Properly
When you use outdoor power equipment, it helps you get your yard work done faster and more efficiently. But those tools can also be a safety hazard if they are not properly stored and maintained.
Whether you’re using gas or electric-powered lawnmowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, or leaf blowers, it’s important to store them properly before you put them away for the winter. Proper storage can prevent rust, damage, and corrosion, which could keep your tools from working as well as they should next year.
The best way to protect your tools is to keep them in a dry, cool place over the winter. Ideally, your garage or shed is ideal for this, but if you don’t have one, it’s still important to store them somewhere else that’s away from the harsh elements.
Another thing to consider is removing any loose bolts, screws, and seals on the equipment before you store it. This will help to prevent damage while it’s in storage and will ensure that it can be easily removed when you’re ready to use it again.
If you’re storing a battery-powered piece of equipment, it’s vital to remove and fully charge the batteries before putting them away. This will ensure that the batteries don’t overheat and become damaged, which can lead to an even bigger problem.
When storing your power equipment, it’s also essential to add a fuel stabilizer. This will help to prevent the stale fuel from going bad and damaging your equipment. It will also help to keep your equipment running longer over the winter, which is important to ensure that you have the tools you need when you need them most.
Add a Fuel Stabilizer
If you’re a lawn care professional or simply have gas-powered equipment like mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, or leaf blowers that aren’t used for long periods – such as over the winter – adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank is an important safety precaution. It extends the life of your gas-powered tools and prevents clogs, corrosion, and other problems from occurring.
Stabilizers are easy to use and only require that you add them before storing your equipment. Usually, the amount of stabilizer needed will be indicated on the product label or in the owner’s manual.
The stabilizer should be added before putting the equipment into storage to help ensure that the engine stays clean and doesn’t get contaminated with water or other things that can cause issues. Once you’ve added the stabilizer, you should run the vehicle for a few minutes to distribute it through the fuel system.
One ounce of fuel stabilizer per 2.5 gallons of gasoline is generally recommended for most applications. However, this amount may vary depending on the brand of stabilizer you’re using.
While some fuel stabilizers are specifically designed for different types of fuel, engines, and seasons, most of them can prolong the life of your gas-powered equipment by preventing it from deteriorating. While a fuel stabilizer is not a magic solution, it can be an important step in prolonging the life of your outdoor power tools and saving you money in the long run. Plus, it only takes a few minutes to do so! So why not give it a try? And remember, Owenhouse Ace Hardware has a great selection of outdoor power equipment and fuel stabilizers to help you do just that!
Conclusion
Using the proper safety equipment is essential to protecting yourself from any danger that may arise while you are working. Another crucial safety tip for using outdoor power equipment is to be sure to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Store Your Equipment Properly When you use outdoor power equipment, it helps you get your yard work done faster and more efficiently.
