Now that autumn is here, what you’re hearing in the background is the sound of outdoor power equipment being cranked up. Today we’ll discuss using your power tools safely.
Kylia Jordan, sales and service manager for outdoor equipment dealer Centerville Gravely Sales, said the No. 1 rule for using any piece of power equipment is to read and follow the owner’s manual. Power tools that are commonly used by consumers are designed to be safe if used as directed.
But people still get hurt by failing to use common sense.
“The ones who get in trouble are the guys who say, `I knew the chain brake on the saw was broken, but I used it anyway,’ or `I noticed gas leaking out of the gas tank, but I didn’t think it was a big deal,'” Jordan said.
Even if you’ve used your power tool in seasons past, take the time to thoroughly review your owner’s manual before using it again. If you can’t find the owner’s manual for your tool, order one from the manufacturer. In many cases, if you jot down the machine’s model number and go to the manufacturer’s Web site, you should be able to download a copy of the manual.
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If you’re renting a tool, ask for a manual or at least a sheet of usage instructions from the rental agency. Before taking the tool home, have someone walk you through the procedures for starting and using the tool and for cleaning and packing it away at the end of the job.
Whether the tool is rented or owned, you also must understand its fuel requirements and fueling procedures. Many tools use two-cycle motors that use a mixture of gasoline and oil. Use only the types of oil and grades of gasoline the manufacturer recommends.
Keep fuel in marked containers and store it in cool, properly ventilated places. Fill the fuel tanks when the tools are cool.
Proper clothing and protective gear is a must. For instance, Jordan recommends that chain-saw users wear protective chaps over their pants, a hard hat with a face shield, gloves and ear protection.
“It seems like a lot of getting ready if you’re just going out to trim one tree,” she said. “But it’s worth it.”
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute offers a safety brochure that can be downloaded at the organization’s Web site at opei.org.
Here are some suggestions from Jordan and the O.P.E.I.:
– Familiarize yourself with all the controls on your equipment. Know what each switch and button does and when and how it should be used.
– Make sure that all your equipment’s safety devices are working properly. That includes “dead man switches” that stop the machine when released, chain-saw brakes and spark screens that keep stray sparks from reaching clothing or other flammables.
– Wear long pants and appropriate shoes; steel-toed work boots are good if you’re working with heavy branches or other object that could fall on your feet. Don’t wear dangling jewelry or clothing that could get caught in a tool.
– Clear the work area before starting a job. Pick up any rocks, twigs, toys or other objects that could be picked up and thrown by a piece of power equipment.
– Keep children and pets away. Never give a child a ride on a riding mower; in addition to the immediate danger of falling off, giving children rides can make them think of the mower as a toy which increases their risk of injury.
– Keep your hands and feet away from moving parts. Use only the tamping tools that come with chipper/shredders to push material into the cutting compartment. Keep your face away from the discharge area off the shredder.
– Be careful when servicing power equipment. Turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug to avoid accidental starting.
– With push mowers, mow across hills to avoid falls. With riding mowers, mow up and down hills. Some hills are too steep to mow with either push or riding mowers.
– Never point the nozzle of a leaf blower at people or pets. Use the lowest effective throttle speed to reduce noise and reduce the risk of flying debris.
– Cut with the middle of the chain-saw blade and avoid touching the tip of the blade to any surface. Don’t try to cut branches above your head.
– If you hit an object while using a lawn mower, edger or tiller, stop and turn off the machine immediately. Check for damage before restarting.