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Work Safe, Not Sloppy
June is National Safety Month, but we believe in practicing safe work all year.
Back to the Basics: Top 5 Tips | Most Common Landscaping Injuries
PPE for All Jobs
Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a key factor in preventing injuries.
Ear Protection | Safety Vests | Eye Protection | Hand Protection | Arbor Specific Safety
Shop ALL Safety SuppliesFind Your Nearest StoreEar Protection
Hearing loss is irreversible, wear quality PPE.
Company policy should require ear protection to be used in the following work areas: Trimming, chain saw & power cutter operation, mowing, tilling & brush cutting, operating all motorized equipment, as well as in shop technician workplaces and job sites where technicians work, especially during welding & grinding operations.
Keep PPE readily available and ensure proper fit. Show employees how to properly maintain and store their PPE, as well as how to inspect PPE for wear, tear, & malfunctions, with information on how to get it replaced.
Safety Vests
InVEST in compliance
Class 1 ANSI Safety Vest For workers where traffic is traveling at or below 25 mph, and work is taking place at a safe distance from a roadway. For example: Home and sidewalk yard maintenance in a small residential neighborhood.
Class 1 ANSI Vest Requirements -- Safety yellow or safety orange with a minimum of 155 square inches of reflective tape. These reflective strips must go around the middle of the vest as well as over the shoulders.
Class 2 ANSI Safety Vest For working environments on a roadway where traffic is moving up to 50 mph. For example: Construction crews, highway maintenance, and some commercial turf care.
Class 2 ANSI Vest Requirements -- At least 775 inches of safety yellow or safety orange background material and 201 square inches of reflective striping.
Class 3 ANSI Safety Vest For people working near roadways where traffic is traveling in excess of 50mph, or for operators working in blizzardous or other hazardous weather conditions where visibility is at a minimum. For example: Snow blower and snowplow operators.
Class 3 ANSI Vest Requirements -- 1,240 inches of safety yellow or safety orange background and 310 square inches of reflective striping. These often resemble a short sleeve t-shirt more than a traditional vest.
Back to the Basics, Top 5 Ways to...
Avoid Overheating
- Stay Hydrated: Drink Water, Not Soda
- Wear Protective Clothing & Sunscreen
- Schedule Breaks in the Shade
- Use a Damp Rag to Keep Face & Neck Cool
- Listen to Your Body
Lift Properly
- Keep a Wide Stance
- Don't Bend at the Back, Only Hips and Knees
- Don't Lean or Slouch
- Keep the Load Close to Your Body
- Don't Lift Above Your Shoulders
Avoid Mower Roll-Overs
- Make Sure ROPS are Active
- Use Your Seat Belt
- Don't Operate on Slopes more than 15˚
- Use a Trimmer to Mow Close to Water
- Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
Eye Protection
Avoid being 1 of 2,000 DAILY eye injuries in the U.S.
Eye and face protection is imperative for a number of day-to-day functions including but not limited to:
- mixing and applying chemicals
- trimming and edging sidewalks
- chain saw and power cutter operation
- mowing and brush cutting
- pruning, trimming, & cutting trees
- welding and grinding operations
Especially when working with chemicals, it's important to have a fully stocked first-aid kit on hand and an eyewash station. MSDS forms will provide complete details for proper PPE.
Keep PPE readily available and ensure proper fit. Show employees how to properly maintain, store, and replace their PPE. Don’t skimp on quality, PPE must comply with ANSI Z87.1
Hand Protection
Pick the right glove for the job at hand
Mowing, Trimming, Blowing, & Using Handheld Equipment
Glove: Lightweight nylon with abrasion-resistant coating
Why: To reduce skin rubbing and minimize hand slippage
Cutting, Pruning, & Trimming Prickly Branches and other Wood
Glove: Leather or cloth with palm coatings, but these only provide palm protection, not full hand
Why: To prevent punctures, stabs, cuts, and scrapes
Laying or Handling Concrete Blocks or Bricks
Glove: Premium latex, heavy-duty nitrile, leather
Why: To provide abrasion-resistance and in some cases, padding
Miscellaneous
Glove: Premium latex, nitrile, mechanic, Kevlar
Why: Have on hand for any situation
Most Common Landscaping Injuries
Do you have supplies to prevent these?
- Cuts and amputations from plants or equipment
- Heat and cold stress from working primarily outside in all types of weather
- Overexposure to harmful chemicals from pesticides used on soil
- Injuries from falls caused by doing work in trees or cranes
- Hearing loss from noisy equipment
- Overexertion from lifting heavy equipment
- Electrocution from overhead power lines
Arbor Specific Safety
The height of convenience
Whether you're a hobbyist or an arborist, when you spend more time with your head in the clouds than with your feet on the ground, you know full body protection is at the top of the list. That's why some of the industry's top brands heavily invest in safety products like these.
Looking for More Safety Solutions?
Find Everything You Need from Signs to Rain Gear at
RussoPower.comYour Nearest Russo LocationThe provided information reflects industry best practices and Russo Power Equipment is not responsible or liable for any accidents as a result of action taken from this page.