Lawn Care and Your Family

After several months of inactivity around the home, people are getting out and working in their yards again. Picking up fallen tree limbs, clearing away unwanted brush and pruning are just a few of the chores people are doing in their yards.

As you take care of your yard, take care of yourself and family members by having a safety policy for using equipment -- be it a leaf blower, lawnmower or pruning saw.

Personal protective equipment recommended for landscape workers includes safety glasses, face shields, hearing protection, hard hats, cut-resistant clothing, gloves and footwear.

One of the most critical pieces of personal protective equipment is safety glasses. These glasses protect eyes from flying particles, chemicals and other hazards. More than 1 million people suffer eye injuries each year in the United States. Ninety percent of these injuries could have been prevented if the individual had worn appropriate protective eyewear.

Make sure safety glasses fit properly, even if that means purchasing more than one pair for all family members. The cost of safety glasses varies but averages between $10 and $12 a pair. Keep your safety eyewear in good condition and have it replaced if it becomes damaged.

Ear plugs should be used when you are exposed to noise levels that average 85 decibels (dB) or more. As with safety glasses, ear plugs are available for a variety of prices. Prices range from $1 to $30 depending on the quality.

Use cut-resistant leg protection when operating chainsaws. Wear gloves to limit your hands

Posted by dreynold at March 25, 2009 04:11 PM | TrackBack