The best way to avoid injuries is to eliminate the hazards. Whenever possible, replace hazardous materials with less hazardous alternatives, and use engineering controls.

In some cases, however, you cannot eliminate the hazard altogether and you must use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to guard against injuries. Before using any PPE, always refer to the manufacturer's operating manual to learn safety precautions and potential dangers of that piece of equipment.

Examples of PPE, and when to use them, include:

• eye protectors when operating powered tools, power tilling, and breaking rocks or concrete by hand using a pick;
• sunglasses when working in direct sunlight;
• sunscreen with a high SPF factor, even when it's cloudy;
• face shields when using trimmers, brush cutters and chippers;
• hearing protectors when working in noisy environments, or operating gas powered equipment;
• respirators when applying pesticides, painting or welding;
• safety footwear, such as steel toe boots, if lifting heavy objects or working around heavy equipment;
• hardhats when trimming trees, working with low overhead clearance, or when play is underway; and
• insulated gloves when using vibrating equipment.

For certain tasks, you must use more than one type of PPE for safety. When handling certain fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, for instance, use nitrile gloves, eye protection, Tyvek coveralls and respirators. Always refer to the material safety data sheets when handling any of the above.

Workplace injuries can cause downtime, which effects your profitability goals for the following reasons:

• The absence - whether brief or lengthy - of an experienced employee can cause others to have to work overtime, increase the likelihood of other short-handed employee injuries, and require the hiring and training of a replacement worker.
• Some injuries involve customers or vendors with probable litigation settlements.
• Damage to equipment, facilities or other property can result.
• State and federal inspectors may visit and levy fines.
• Employee injuries can cause significant increases in insurance costs.

Help protect your financial bottom line by maximizing production through minimizing employee injuries. Develop and use an effective, practical safety program.

Here are some tips to prevent injuries from the use of hand tools:

• Clean your tools after every use and check for damage or wear.
• Immediately replace, dress or repair tools with defects.

When inspecting tools look for:

• Cold chisels with mushroomed heads
• Cracked, loose or broken handles
• Slipping or worn socket wrench ratchets or adjustable wrenches
• Hammers with loose heads
• Files without handles
• Cracked or rounded box ends, open ends and sockets
• Use the right tool for the job
• Don't use cheater pipes
• When using a manual wrench, pull instead of pushing for added control and less chance of injury

Never use standard sockets on an impact tool. Never carry tools, especially pointed or sharp ones, in your pockets. A slip, fall or other wrong move can cause serious injury.

Select the tool that's most suitable for the task and for the operator. Hand tools with ergonomic features are easier to use and can prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Here are some hand tool safety measures:

• Use new tools with ergonomic features that allow for neutral postures and positions.
• Check all tools for damage or defects. Repair or replace defective or unsafe tools.
• Replace or repair damaged handles.
• Keep all cutting tools sharp.
• Properly store all tools when not in use.
• Protect the cutting edge.

Before any digging, always contact the appropriate utility company to determine the location of underground electrical and gas lines, cables and pipes.

Use the right shovel for the job and soil type. A light shovel (about 3 pounds) is suitable for shoveling snow while a heavier shovel (about 6.5 pounds) is better for shoveling soil. Choose a shovel length that fits the task:

• A garden shovel should be between elbow and chest height.
• A snow shovel handle should come up to chest height.
• Keep your tool sharp
• Use good body mechanics when shoveling
• Lift with your legs, not your back
• Avoid twisting your body as you shovel

Strictly limit the number of employees who do refueling to those who have been trained and authorized to perform this procedure.

Follow these safety precautions when refueling:

• Shut off the engine and let it cool first.
• Remove the fuel cap slowly and hold it at the semi-locked position until pressure is released.
• Allow the nozzle to empty by keeping it in the filler opening for several seconds after shutting off fuel flow.
• Replace the fuel cap after checking to see that the venting is not clogged.
• Store fuel in UL Listed and FM approved Type II safety cans.
• Maintain fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment nearby.
• Do not smoke, have an open flame or any other source of ignition nearby.
• If fuel spills on equipment, wipe up and allow any residue to dry before starting the engine.
• Do not run if your clothing catches fire. Stop, drop and roll. Apply a blanket or use a fire extinguisher on a coworker who catches fire.

• Always wear hearing, head, eye and face protection.
• Shut off equipment before removing clogged materials or making adjustments. Prevent operation by disengaging clutch, locking out controls and removing the key.
• Barricade the area around operating equipment to prevent others from entering.
• Never feed small, short pieces of wood by hand. This can result in death or dismemberment.

• Always wear eye protection.
• Inspect hedges and plants for any foreign objects before trimming.
• Keep the cord behind you to avoid snipping it or tripping over it. Leave adequate slack for normal work motions.
• Hold and guide tool with both hands to reduce wrist strain.

• Always refer to the manufacturer's operating manual for safety precautions and potential dangers of a specific lawn mower.
• Inspect the mower for damage or defects prior to starting.
• Ensure that guards and shields are in place and working properly.
• Always wear non-slip footwear and hearing protection.
• Clear the work area of rocks, bottles and debris that could be ejected by the blades.
• Always keep hands and feet away from the blades.
• Inspect for hidden hazards such as holes, roots, drainpipes and insect nests.
• Confirm automatic shut-offs function properly.
• Never reach under the mower. Disconnect the spark plug wire before inspecting the blades.
• Do not make wheel height adjustments when the motor is running.
• Shut off mower when crossing graveled areas.
• Never leave a running mower unattended.
• Never remove the grass catcher or unclog chutes with the motor running.
• Do not mow when surfaces are too wet or slippery.
• Avoid mowing straight up and down a mound or hill. Cut the grass diagonally or across mounds to prevent being struck by the mower or blades.
• Never refuel the mower while the engine is running.

• Always refer to the manufacturer's operating manual for safety precautions and potential dangers of a specific piece of mowing machinery.
• Always wear hearing and head protection.
• Inspect the mower prior to starting. Ensure the reels are sharp and secure.
• Use "3 points of contact" when mounting and dismounting mowers.
• Clear the work area of debris and objects that might be ejected by the reels.
• Mow slopes and hills diagonally rather than sideways for greater stability, unless the mower is counter-balanced.
• Reduce speed on slopes and when making sharp turns to prevent tipping or loss of control.
• Check the area for rocks, holes and other physical hazards.
• Inspect the blades and shaft if the mower runs into a rock or stump. Damaged blades can cause vibration, which can loosen the reels.
• Disengage power to attachments and stop the motor before leaving the operator's position by putting the transmission in park, setting the brake and removing the ignition key.
• Do not suddenly stop or start the mower when going up or down steep hills.
• Do not mount or dismount while the mower is running, because your toes can slip under a running mower's housing and be struck by the blades.
• Never leave a running mower unattended.
• Never transport passengers.

• Follow the manufacturer's operating manual at all times.
• Be aware that rotating cutting tools can throw objects or cut the operator.
• Wear sturdy, snug-fitting clothing along with gloves, safety boots, a face shield and eye and hearing protection.
• Hold the cutter securely in both hands and ensure the cutter is tight.
• Replace bent, warped, damaged or dull cutters.
• Check to make sure the throttle springs back to the idle position.
• Keep people away from starting and operating areas.
• Check the area for stones, glass, metal and debris.
• Start the unit on firm ground or other solid surfaces in an open area.
• Maintain good balance and proper footing when operating. Do not overreach.
• Secure cutter to prevent fuel spillage and damage during transport.
• Adjust harness and hand grip to suit work positions.
• Stop the engine before putting cutter down.
• Use the cutter only at ground level.
• Shut off engine before cleaning out clogged or stuck cutter.
• Never leave a running unit unattended.

Don't perform manual lifting if your task can be completed with hoists, forklifts or other mechanical equipment.

If you must lift manually, get help from other employees, if possible.

Tips for proper manual lifting:

• Check the route to make sure it's free of obstructions, water and other trip-and-fall hazards.
• Check the weight of the item.
• Place your feet close to the object, bend your knees and get a firm hand hold. Lift smoothly, primarily using your leg muscles.
• Lift straight up, keeping the load close to your body without twisting or turning.
• Turn your body by changing foot position as you start walking, rather than twisting.
• Set down the load slowly, bending your knees. Do not let go until you've lowered it securely onto the floor.
• Transport carts by pushing-not pulling.