Lawnmower, ATV, UTV Safety

H.F. MASSEY

Lesson Objectives

• Recall the minimum age to use a ride-on and walk-behind mowers
• Describe the basic safety guidelines for lawnmowers
• Record safe step that occurs before servicing a lawnmower
• Summarize safety regulations for ATVs and UTVs

Lawnmower Safety Basics

• 16 years and older for ride-on mowers and 12 and older for walk-behind mowers
• Closed toed shoes
• Prevent flying objects for example:
• Stone
• Toys
• Sticks
• Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary

Lawnmower Safety Basics

• Always turn off mower engine when removing glass, cleaning clogged chutes, or crossing gravel paths and roads.
• Do not allow children to ride as passengers
• Use mowers with adequate lighting or with adequate daylight
• Keep all guards, shields, switches, and other safety devices in proper working order at all times

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Lawnmower Facts

• The Department of Labor and Industries States:
• “Employees must be at least 16 years old to operate power lawn mowers and other powered yard-care equipment”
• Includes: Leaf blowers and Nylon String Trimmers
• “No employee under age 18 can legally operate commercial-grade powered equipment”
• Includes:
• Trimmers with blades
• Chainsaws
• Aerators
• Rototillers
• Chippers
• Mowers pulled with tractor

How fast can a stick or toy fly out of a lawnmower discharge chute?

a) 10 miles per hour

b) 20 miles per hour

c) 200 miles per hour

d) 500 miles per hour

c)200 miles per hour

What is the most important thing to do before doing any service work on a mower?

a) put on gloves

b) drain fuel tank

c) disconnect spark plug

c)Disconnect spark plug

True or False

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• One gallon of gasoline combined with the correct amount of air is equal to 83 pounds of dynamite.

True

ATV Safety

• Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
• Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV.
• Ride an ATV that's right for your age.
• Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are NOT toys.
• Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed

ATV Video Links

Dirttraxtv ATV Safety

Can-Am ATV Safety Video

ATV Safety

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UTV Safety

• Always keep legs and arms inside the vehicle . 
• Drive slowly and turn smoothly to avoid an overturn.
• When hauling cargo, the vehicle's center of gravity is raised, increasing the chance of overturning.
• Do not turn the vehicle in mid-slope or hill as this increases the probability of overturning.
• Use the appropriate speed on rough terrain.
• Each passenger must ride in his/her own seat , do not haul passengers in cargo area.

UTV Safety

• Passengers must be tall enough to reach handhold while their backs are against the seat and their feet are flat on the floorboards.
• Operators must back up carefully. Look especially for children before backing.
• Operators should be free from the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Due to the hauling purpose of a UTV, special attention should be paid to making sure cargo or material is properly secured during transport

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UTV Safety Video Links

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• Kubota RTV Safety and Operations

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Liability

• Agricultural Exemptions
• 16 years of age no longer subject to the Federal agricultural youth employment provisions
• 14-15 years of age may work outside of school hours in non-hazardous agricultural occupation.
• 12-13 years of age may work outside of school hours in non-hazardous agricultural job with written parental consent or on a farm that also employs their parent(s).
• As an employer:
• You are responsible for enforcing the safe operating practice of all work-related equipment
• You are responsible for insuring proper age operators of equipment
• You are responsible for educating yourself on equipment rules and regulation

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Questions