Lawn mowers are one of a homeowner's most important helpers when it comes to ensuring the lawn is well-cared for. Electric lawn mowers, in particular, have become increasingly popular these days among many homeowners in Australia. These type of lawn mowers are revered for their ability to keep working as long as electricity supply is maintained. But they also have the potential for safety hazards. Here are some important safety tips to follow when using an electric lawn mower.
Perform a visual inspection of the work site
The first thing you should do before starting with any lawn mowing work is to visually inspect your lawn, so remove objects that may be thrown around during lawn mowing. When thrown at high speed, these things can cause severe personal injury. So as to avoid injuries caused by thrown items, walk around the site where the equipment is to be used and clear off all stones, twigs, and other yard stuff that could be thrown by the electrical motor blade. Also, make sure to keep small children and bystanders a safe distance away from your mowing area. And, in case someone accesses your work site, turn off your equipment immediately.
Dress up well for the job
Are you aware that what you wear when lawn mowing can affect your safety? Avoid putting on baggy clothing or jewellery that can easily get stuck in moving parts. Wear protective gloves to protect your hands from becoming blistered due to the vibrations generated when you are steering the equipment; use safety goggles to protect your eyes from any flying objects; and wear a hard hat to protect yourself from head injuries that may be caused by the thrown objects.
Avoid tampering with your electrical cord
As there is always the risk of cutting the electric cord supplying power to your lawn mower, you should be creative when it comes to managing your cabling. Remember that the cabling is live at the time of your mowing. You can drape excess cabling over your shoulder or even wind it around your elbow.
Use a ground fault circuit interrupter
As a precautionary safety measure, use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) on your lawn mower. This will help to protect individuals from the risk of electrocution resulting from the use of faulty electrical equipment in wet areas. The instant somebody begins receiving an electric shock, the GFCI picks this up and halts power supply before the person can get badly injured.
For more information or advice, contact a business such as Cox Mowers.
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