Lawn Care: Hand Tools Safety

Objective: To promote the safe use of hand tools.

Background

Many hand tools such as shovels, hoes, rakes, trimmers, and pruners are widely used in lawn care and landscaping. While these tools appear to be harmless, when used improperly, they can cause injuries that sometimes require medical treatment. In 2006, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported nearly 205,000 cases of injuries and/or illnesses resulting from the use of hand tools.

Often, workers use unsafe postures and take shortcuts in the interest of saving time, but the extra time spent in getting a job done without injury is always time well-spent. Tools should never be used above shoulder height. Operators who are careful will recognize when they use unsafe postures and practices. The use of personal protection equipment such as safety glasses and sturdy work gloves and footwear is extremely important for protecting workers.

Tips for Personal Safety

• Protect yourself from the sun, heat, insect bites or stings, and moving vehicles.

• Consume adequate amount of water to avoid dehydration.

• Take frequent breaks in the shade during warm weather.

• Notify the crew leader of injury and seek medical assistance promptly.

Rake Safety Tips

• Choose a rake of appropriate size — depending on the size and strength of the user — to allow for ease of use.
• Do not reach too far out — either with the rake or by stretching your back — when raking.
• Stay in an upright position and use shorter raking strokes instead of long, reaching strokes.
• Switch the position of your hands on the rake handle and alternate hands periodically.

Shoveling Safety Tips

• Choose the proper shovel for the job, keeping in the mind the size and strength of the user.
• Never underestimate the weight of soil.
• Use proper posture when shoveling.

Pruning Safety Tips

• Always wear safety glasses and gloves when using a pruner.
• Always use a tripod ladder when pruning shrubs and vines located higher up or when using a hand pruner in an orchard.
• Never carry a tool up or down a ladder.
• Never use a pruner on large branches.
• Ensure that the pruner blade is sharp to make the cut quickly and easily.

Tips for Cleaning and Maintenance

Hand Tool Cleaning Tips

• Always clean tools after use.
• Tools can be washed using a hose and nozzle and/or scrubbed with a wire brush.
• Minimize the risk of spreading germs when washing dirty tools.
• Spray light oil like WD-40 on areas prone to rust.

Hand Tool Maintenance Tips

• Keep metal blades sharp and well-oiled.
• Check nuts, bolts, rivets, screws, blades, and springs regularly for wear or damage; replace if necessary.
• Sand all wooden parts regularly and coat them with a 50/50 linseed oil and turpentine mixture.
• Label and store damaged tools in a designated area and notify the supervisor or the maintenance person.

Acknowledgements

This publication was developed with the support of National Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification (grant No. USDA/NIFA- 2010-41521-20830), National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The team that developed this publication is solely responsible for its content; it does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Department of Labor. Team members are Robert Grisso, John Perumpral, Don Ohanehi, Mike Goatley, Kathleen Jamison, Cathy Sutphin, Dan Swafford, and Carl Estes.

The team would like to express appreciation for the reviews and comments by David Balderson, teacher, Atlee High School; Phil Blevins, Virginia Cooperative Extension agent; Deborah Chaves, instructor, Monroe Technology Center; Sonya Furgurson, VCE associate agent; Michael Hopkins, instructor, Louisa High School; Emerson Lynn “Kip” Kirby Jr., teacher, Richlands High School; Michael Lachance, VCE agent; Alyssa Walden, VCE associate agent; A.J. Powell Jr., professor emeritus, University of Kentucky.