Trimmers

This is an excerpt from the article “Yard and Garden Safety.” For more information, please visit www.preparemetroke.org.

 

Trim N’Edge Trimmer

• Remove debris from work area.
• Keep people and pets at least 50 feet away when operating equipment.
• When using the trimmer as a lawn edger, wear safety protection. Do not use an edger on graveled surfaces.
• If the edger strikes a foreign object, stop operation, disconnect the spark plug wire, and inspect the unit for damage.

String Trimmers

• Wear protective clothing with eye and ear protection.
• Do not operate if fatigued, on medications, using alcohol or drugs, or ill.
• Keep firm footing and balance; don’t overreach; be sure lighting conditions are adequate; keep your body away from the rotating string head and hot surfaces. Be sure to keep the string head below waist level.
• Use trimmer only for weeds and grass.
• Inspect your trimmer for loose fasteners, fuel leaks, and a cracked or chipped string head.
• Never start or run an engine inside a closed area; exhaust fumes can kill.
• Remove the spark plug before any repairs.

For two-cycle engines, follow fueling and premixing instructions carefully. Wipe up any fuel spillage quickly to prevent fire.

Reference Postures

This is an excerpt from the article “Good Working Postions.” For more information, please visit www.osha.gov.

These four reference postures are examples of body posture changes that all provide neutral positioning for the body.

Upright sitting posture. The user’s torso and neck are approximately vertical and in-line, the thighs are approximately horizontal, and the lower legs are vertical.

• The user’s torso and neck are approximately vertical and in-line, the thighs are approximately horizontal, and the lower legs are vertical.

Standing posture. The user’s legs, torso, neck, and head are approximately in-line and vertical. The user may also elevate one foot on a rest while in this posture.

• The user’s legs, torso, neck, and head are approximately in-line and vertical.

Declined sitting posture. The user’s thighs are inclined with the buttocks higher than the knee and the angle between the thighs and the torso is greater than 90 degrees. The torso is vertical or slightly reclined and the legs are vertical.

• The user’s thighs are inclined with the buttocks higher than the knee and the angle between the thighs and the torso is greater than 90 degrees. The torso is vertical or slightly reclined and the legs are vertical.

Reclined sitting posture. The user’s torso and neck are straight and recline between 105 and 120 degrees from the thighs.

• The user’s torso and neck are straight and recline between 105 and 120 degrees from the thighs

Good Working Positions

This is an excerpt from the article “Good Working Postions.” For more information, please visit www.osha.gov.

To understand the best way to set up a computer workstation, it is helpful to understand the concept of neutral body positioning. This is a comfortable working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons, and skeletal system and reduces your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). The following are important considerations when attempting to maintain neutral body postures while working at the computer workstation:

• Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor.
• Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and balanced. Generally it is in-line with the torso.
• Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body.
• Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees.
• Feet are fully supported by the floor or a footrest may be used if the desk height is not adjustable.
• Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back slightly.
• Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor.
• Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward.

Regardless of how good your working posture is, working in the same posture or sitting still for prolonged periods is not healthy. You should change your working position frequently throughout the day in the following ways:

• Make small adjustments to your chair or backrest.
• Stretch your fingers, hands, arms, and torso.
• Stand up and walk around for a few minutes periodically.

Chain Saws

This is an excerpt from the article “Yard and Garden Safety.” For more information, please visit www.preparemetroke.org.

• Read your operator’s manual before using the chain saw for the first time.
• Avoid the danger of “kickback” by using a chain saw (either gasoline-powered or electric) equipped with an anti-kickback device mounted on the tip of the guide bar.
• Never cut with the tip of the guide bar; always keep your body away from the line of cut; always cut with the left arm straight and with firm grip (thumbs and fingers encircling the chain saw handle).
• Never start cutting until you have a clear work area, secure footing, and a planned retreat path from a falling tree.
• Use safety footwear, snug-fitting clothing, and eye, hearing, and head protection when operating the chain saw.
• When operating an electric chain saw, use an extension cord marked for outside use.
• Never operate a chain saw that is damaged, improperly adjusted, or is not completely and securely assembled. Be sure the saw’s chain stops moving when the throttle-control trigger is released.
• Keep your chain saw regularly serviced. Competent service personnel should perform all service work.
• Always bring the saw up to speed before letting the chain touch the wood. Once contact is made, keep cutting at a steady speed; do not speed up or slow down while cutting.
• Do not cut from ladder! Let professionals do it. Do not cut above chest height as a saw held higher is difficult to control against kickback.
• Never operate a chain saw when fatigued, under medication, or drinking.

Chipper-Shredders

This is an excerpt from the article “Yard and Garden Safety.” For more information, please visit www.preparemetroke.org.

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• Keep kids and pets well away from the work area.
• Stay clear of the discharge area when the machine is running.
• Avoid loose-fitting clothes (they can get caught in the machine).
• Always wear gloves, ear protection and safety goggles.
• When filling the shredding chute, use the plunger provided to push material into the shredding chamber.
• Never use your hands or anything made of metal.
• If the chipper/shredder becomes jammed, turn it off, disconnect the spark plug and wait for all moving parts to come to a complete stop before attempting to unclog the machine.

Camping Safety Tips

This is an excerpt from the article “Camping Safety Tips.” For more information, please visit www.macecanada.com.

• Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine to the affected area. camping tips, great outdoors emergency preparedness first aid
• Practice good hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands, particularly after using the toilet and before handling food, to prevent everyone in your group becoming ill.

Camping Safety Tips

This is an excerpt from the article “Camping Safety Tips.” For more information, please visit www.macecanada.com.

• Watch out for bugs. Hornets, bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are a problem at many campsites. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes. Should such an insect approach, do not wave wildly and swat blindly – instead use a gentle pushing or brushing motion to deter them.
• Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable – never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night – many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.

Power Lawn Mowers

This is an excerpt from the article “Yard and Garden Safety.” For more information, please visit www.preparemetroke.org.

 

• When working on the mower, be sure the blade and all moving parts have stopped.
• When accessing the underside of the mower for inspection or cleaning, always turn it so that the air-filter side of the mower is up. Otherwise, oil will drain out into the air filter and the engine won’t start. Also detach the spark-plug wire so the engine won’t start accidentally.
• Keep spark plugs clean, and have an expert adjust the carburetor. Check air filters regularly, and clean or replace them when dirty. Use the gasoline and oil recommended by the manufacturer.
• Be sure to regularly sharpen rotary mower blades, which operate on the principle of a sickle. It’s advisable to have an extra blade on hand so a replacement is available when you detect poor cutting. Shredded or brown tips of grass blades are an indication of a dull or damaged mower blade. You can sharpen rotary mower blades with a grinding wheel and file, but be careful not to destroy the balance. To determine which end of the mower blade is out of balance, put a nail in the wall and hang the blade from the hole in the center of the blade. File more off the blade on the heavy end.
• Excess vibration is an indication of a damaged blade, mounting, or crankshaft. Frequently tighten the blade and engine mounting bolts, as well as any other nuts, bolts and screws. Check mower wheels, bearings and axles for wear and lubrication. If there are grease fittings, check them every couple of months. Replace loose, wobbly wheels. Be sure to keep the drive mechanism on self-propelled mowers in good working order. Check belts and gears for wear and fit.
• After each use, clean the underside of the mower with a strong stream of water. The metal deck can rust out if residue builds up. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves and excessive grease. Check the grass-catcher bag for wear or deterioration, and replace when necessary. At the end of the mowing season, be sure to drain the gas and follow the winterizing instructions in your owner’s manual.

Riding Mowers

This is an excerpt from the article “Yard and Garden Safety.” For more information, please visit www.preparemetroke.org.

 

Fatal accidents have occurred from riding lawn mowers, and the risk of an accident is almost twice as likely with a riding lawn mower as a walk-behind mower. The following are general instructions when operating a riding mower:

• Only allow the operator on the mower; never carry passengers.
• Clear the yard of people before mowing, and stop the mower if anyone enters the area.
• Slow down before turning.
• Mow up and down slopes only. Mowing across should be done with a walk-behind mower.
• Never leave the machine running. Turn off the blades, set the parking brake, stop the engine and remove the keys before dismounting.
• Never mow on wet grass, which can decrease traction and cause sliding.
• Rider-mower models made within the last 20 years should meet the 1986 ANSI 871.1 standard, which incorporates several safety features not found on older models. .

Camping Safety Tips

This is an excerpt from the article “Camping Safety Tips.” For more information, please visit www.macecanada.com.

1. Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts. emergency preparedness first aid
2. Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead.
3. Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically – a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Embers buried deep within the pile have a tendency to re-unite later.
4. Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your tent is made of a flame-retardant fabric, and set up far enough away from the campfire. Keep insects out of your tent by closing the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
5. Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle – use the proper recycling bins if available.
6. Be cautious when using a propane stove. Read the instructions that come with the stove and propane cylinder. Use the stove as a cooking appliance only – never leave it unattended while it’s burning.