Open Association of Landscape Industries
Wear the right footwear when mowing
"I was only wearing Wellingtons and it sliced right through the rubber. I remember seeing my big toe lying on the grass and thinking, 'oh dear'. I got up and managed to shuffle down to the front of the garden."
http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=154691327
It can happen in the blink of an eye and not necessarily just to amateur gardeners. Sometimes even professionals, under pressure of time and battling against bad weather or a heavy schedule, cut corners or ignore the dangers.
http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=154691327
It can happen in the blink of an eye and not necessarily just to amateur gardeners. Sometimes even professionals, under pressure of time and battling against bad weather or a heavy schedule, cut corners or ignore the dangers.
Tags: assessment, conditions, error, liability, operator, risk, safe, slippery, working
Replies to This Discussion
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
If you a want a graphic example of this from the HSE Safety Alert bulletin, click here:....
http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/experience/mower.htm.
I showed this my guys some while ago. It got the point across.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
Hi Gary
Yes, those graphic images help push home the point.
I covered Leonard's story a while back and also highlighted the need for a risk assessment.
Gary RK said:If you a want a graphic example of this from the HSE Safety Alert bulletin, click here:....
http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/experience/mower.htm.
I showed this my guys some while ago. It got the point across.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on -
It was probably that article that prompted me to show that to my guys - urgh !
Philip Voice said:Hi Gary
Yes, those graphic images help push home the point.
I covered Leonard's story a while back and also highlighted the need for a risk assessment.
Gary RK said:If you a want a graphic example of this from the HSE Safety Alert bulletin, click here:....
http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/experience/mower.htm.
I showed this my guys some while ago. It got the point across.
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Permalink Reply by Richard Boyd on -
If you're a pro and not wearing safety boots you must be out of your mind. It's one of the few H&S areas I am absolutely insistant upon, no boots no work.
We had an incident last year one of the lads (wearing safety boots) got his foot trapped in a tail lift, he screamed and the tail lift went straight down. He would have lost his foot if he had not been wearing steelies. As you say it would have happened in a fraction of a second, if the other lads reactions had not been very fast he would have had more than bruising.
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Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Prout on -
If any one can advise me where I can get a pair of size 2 safety boots, I would wear them with pride. I do occasionally ask in shops they say yes we do stock small sizes we go right down to a size 6. The smallest I have seen on-line is a 3 which I do have but they are so huge I have to wear 3 pairs of socks and keep tripping over my own feet. This site is quite good https://www.missworkwear.co.uk
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Rowly Hill on -
Ok I'm going to be controversial here and am prepared to be shot down in flames.
"If you're a pro and not wearing safety boots you must be out of your mind".
Richard, I'm out of my mind them as I don't wear them and haven't for the last 30 years.
Two of the worst feet injuries I suffered, whilst wearing safety boots, occured in my agricultural days. The first when a cow (650kgs stood on my foot, her hoof slid off the steel toe cap (protection working) and onto the unprotected part of my foot (protection failed) and the second when dropped part of a tractor 3 point linkage onto my foot, it landed on the unprotected part of it and not the steel....what a waste of time. I ditched them after the second injury and haven't looked back.
Now don't get me wrong here I am not poo poing safety boots, it's a personal choice if you wear them or you don't if you are a "one man operation"
Do we all wear steel safety gloves all of the time...I doubt it. The likelihood of you trapping your fingers in a tail lift ( for example) are the same as getting your foot trapped.
Perhaps experience and assessment, avoidance ( memories of hopping around shouting obsenities) has helped me avoid and similar injuries.
For those with employees - they are a must have.
Preparing for the avalanche of Mr Mad replies.
Richard Boyd said:If you're a pro and not wearing safety boots you must be out of your mind. It's one of the few H&S areas I am absolutely insistant upon, no boots no work.
We had an incident last year one of the lads (wearing safety boots) got his foot trapped in a tail lift, he screamed and the tail lift went straight down. He would have lost his foot if he had not been wearing steelies. As you say it would have happened in a fraction of a second, if the other lads reactions had not been very fast he would have had more than bruising.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Rowly Hill on -
Sorry Paul I knew I'd "out" someone. At least you are brave enough to stand up and be counted as another non steel toe capper.
Better now? Virus gone?
Paul Williams said:If your going down Rowly, I'm going with you!
I don't wear toe caps either. I have never found a pair that are comfortable to wear for a whole day. I have toe cap rigger boots if I'm doing anything especially dangerous & chainsaw boots obviously but for mowing/strimming/gardening I just wear hiking boots. I agree for employees its a must but I simply can't get on with them any more. A good pair of Gore Tex hiking boots suits me much better & I don't go home with wet or painful feet.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Rowly Hill on -
Apologies for the poor grammar and typos folks, it's been a long, hard week and my brain and fingers aren't talking to each other.
ROWLY HILL said:Ok I'm going to be controversial here and am prepared to be shot down in flames.
"If you're a pro and not wearing safety boots you must be out of your mind".
Richard, I'm out of my mind them as I don't wear them and haven't for the last 30 years.
Two of the worst feet injuries I suffered, whilst wearing safety boots, occured in my agricultural days. The first when a cow (650kgs stood on my foot, her hoof slid off the steel toe cap (protection working) and onto the unprotected part of my foot (protection failed) and the second when dropped part of a tractor 3 point linkage onto my foot, it landed on the unprotected part of it and not the steel....what a waste of time. I ditched them after the second injury and haven't looked back.
Now don't get me wrong here I am not poo poing safety boots, it's a personal choice if you wear them or you don't if you are a "one man operation"
Do we all wear steel safety gloves all of the time...I doubt it. The likelihood of you trapping your fingers in a tail lift ( for example) are the same as getting your foot trapped.
Perhaps experience and assessment, avoidance ( memories of hopping around shouting obsenities) has helped me avoid and similar injuries.
For those with employees - they are a must have.
Preparing for the avalanche of Mr Mad replies.
Richard Boyd said:If you're a pro and not wearing safety boots you must be out of your mind. It's one of the few H&S areas I am absolutely insistant upon, no boots no work.
We had an incident last year one of the lads (wearing safety boots) got his foot trapped in a tail lift, he screamed and the tail lift went straight down. He would have lost his foot if he had not been wearing steelies. As you say it would have happened in a fraction of a second, if the other lads reactions had not been very fast he would have had more than bruising.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Kieran Ray on -
I wear toe caps 95% of the time. I find my toe caps more comfortable than most of my other shoes, I do wear them for 8 + hours a day though! When it is really hot and I'm not doing any work that is likely to hurt my feet I do wear my Vans as they are so comfortable to wear but this id rarely
Paul W, Have you tried the walking boot type toe caps?
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on -
IMO, there's no substitute for a risk assessment (mental or written).
Whilst mowing, I'd like to think I'd be constantly monitoring ground and grass conditions and be one step ahead by anticipating what might happen next.
I think I've prevented many potential accidents because of the way I'd consider the scenario in my head before I'd put myself in a position of danger.
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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Graeme @ BGS on -
I always view mowing as a high risk operation and suitable protection should be used as deemed necessary for the particular job.
I did briefly touch in this in http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/a-good-lawn-sta...
You will be amazed at how many people are killed lawn mowing in the USA every year but probably best not to add any comments as to why! :-)
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Permalink Reply by John on -
I wear wellingtons with steel toecaps most of the time in the winter, I hate walking around with wet feet and a lot the gardens we work in have boggy areas and ponds streams etc, so you are always working in wet conditions, but I cannot get on with wearing safety trainers in the summer.
Like a lot of people I have dropped things on my feet while wearing safety boots and it has missed the steel toecap and hit my foot, however while I have worn trainers/hiking boots I have never dropped anything on them.
I always have the wellies on the back of the truck and will put them on if I feel the extra protection is required, not that it has ever helped in the past.
But perhaps I should have another look at the latest gear.
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