During the warm months, people across Maryland are eager to get their lawns looking good. Whether business owners and homeowners do this work themselves or hire professionals, it is essential to know that there are serious hazards that can come with landscaping.
For instance, often, powerful equipment and machines are necessary to complete the work. And, when they break or malfunction or when someone does not operate them properly, severe accidents can happen.
Some of the most dangerous examples of landscaping equipment include:
- Lawnmowers
- Hedge trimmers
- Chain saws
- Nail guns
- String trimmers
These machines can be powerful and sharp. They are designed to do things like chop, cut and drive, and often they use electricity or gas-powered engines. These elements make them capable of causing catastrophic injuries in the event of an accident.
If you use this equipment, or if someone working on your lawn uses them, it can be crucial to use safety precautions. Such measures can include:
- Having equipment inspected and repaired by professionals
- Wearing protective gear like gloves, goggles and hardhats
- Reading the manual to operate the machine
- Participating in available training before operating the equipment
- Giving operators plenty of space when they are using a machine
- Stop using equipment with faulty electrical cords immediately
Too often, people fail to realize just how dangerous these machines can be. They might overestimate their abilities or minimize the risk of injury, particularly if they use the equipment all the time or they have been using it for years.
However, every time you operate landscaping equipment, there is the potential for an accident to occur. Whether that accident occurs in your front yard or while you are on a job site, it can result in burns, severe lacerations or even amputation.
Rather than put yourself and others at risk, it can be crucial to prioritize safe equipment practices when working on a landscaping project.
