FALL for Safety: Yard Maintenance Safety Tips

FALL for Safety: Yard Maintenance Safety Tips 

Yard Maintenance Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents and Injuries

Here in Canada we are saying a tough goodbye to summer, and welcoming in fall. Who doesn’t love to watch the leaves on trees slowly turn from green to gold, orange, and red – It’s so beautiful! However, if you’re a home or business owner, your thoughts may have turned to cleaning up those very leaves once they fall—And all the other essential outdoor cleanup tasks that need to get done before the weather gets too cold and the snow begins. You may not realize it, but many typical fall cleanup tasks can lead to injury if not done with the correct safety measures in place.

We want to challenge everyone to fall for safety this year and keep safety in mind when performing their autumn yard maintenance by following this yard maintenance safety tips.

Leaf Removal

Removing debris like fallen leaves is a task many people expect to be on their list once fall comes around. Raking leaves, in particular, is a task many of us probably perform without giving a second thought, or worrying about safety. But, if you come in from raking with a sore and achy body—Give these tips a try before simply chalking it up to the aging process.

Yard Maintenance Safety Tips for Raking  

• Avoid twisting your body while raking—Turn with your feet and above motions like throwing over your shoulder. These movements can overly strain your back muscles.
• Use your knees when lifting and take a break if you start feeling any back pain. Never push your limits! The leaves can always wait! 
• Try to vary movements as much as possible to avoid overuse of one muscle group
• Wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands from blisters and skin from thorns or other debris.
• Wear shoes with strong traction—Wet leaves can be slippery!
• Stay hydrated and don’t overdo it—Whether you realize it or not, raking leaves is a workout. You may need to take breaks or slow your pace depending on your personal health and fitness—And that’s okay!  

Leaf Blowing Safety

Remember, leaf blowers blow far more than just leaves. If you’ve used a leaf blower before, you’ve probably noticed how much dirt and debris gets kicked up along with the leaves you’re actually trying to move. If that dirt finds it’s way into your eyes, it’s going to be uncomfortable at best—But cause an eye injury at worst. Because of this, safety glasses or goggles should be worn at all times when operating a leaf blower.

Yard Maintenance Safety Tips for Leaf Blowing

Some other things to keep in mind when you operate a leaf blower are:  

• Inspect the blower before use to make sure controls, parts and safety devices are not damaged and are working properly.
• Don’t point an operating blower in the direction of people or pets.
• Make sure bystanders, including other operators, are at a safe distance.
• Turn the leaf blower off if you’re approached.
• Do not use a leaf blower indoors (yep, we couldn’t believe it either!) or in a poorly ventilated area.
• Never modify a leaf blower in any way not authorized by the manufacturer.
• Gutter Cleaning Clearing your gutters is one of those “I gotta do it” tasks, especially since leaves have a tendency to clog it up. So, since it’s time to clean out the gutters—Let’s make sure you do it safely!
• Wear gloves to protect your hands—Gutters can be full of dirty, rotting leaf debris that often contain bird or squirrel droppings that are ridden with bacteria. They can also prevent painful cuts from sharp debris in the gutter or an old metal gutter that my have developed sharp edges.
• Protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses or goggles—You never quite know what may fly out of a gutter. If you have to get on the roof to access part of the gutter wear non-slip shoes and ensure the roof is completely dry.
• Fall protection equipment should be used if your building’s roof is near or above 10ft off the ground—Check with your jurisdiction for requirements when working at heights.
• Be mindful of power lines around you, especially if electrical wires connect to your building near your gutters.
• Practice ladder & fall protection safety!  

Ladder Safety Quick Tips  

• Try to have someone with you while using a ladder—If this isn’t possible, always at least let someone know you will be working on a ladder and have them expect to hear from you once you’ve safely completed your task.
• Take a moment to inspect both the ladder and the area where you’re using it—Make sure your ladder is in good working condition and doesn’t need any repairs.
• Use a safe and sturdy ladder—We recommend one with a small shelf strong enough to hold a five-gallon bucket to collect gutter debris.
• If you do use a bucket, ensure it’s secured with a lanyard. Maintain three-point contact by keeping two hands and one-foot, or two-feet and one hand on a ladder always.    
• Use the appropriate safety devices when needed (e.g., safety belt, fall restraint, etc.) Do not “shift” or “walk” a stepladder when standing on it
• Do not reach from the center of a ladder (always climb down and move the ladder if you cannot reach).    

Trimming Branches

As leaves fall from the trees, branches that may need trimming present themselves from hiding. Taking advantage of this time can be the best way to keep up with tree pruning along your property.  Small, cracked or dying branches may be able to be removed by simply breaking them away, but larger branches will require tools like chainsaws for removal.

• NEVER operate a chainsaw without the proper training
• It’s always smart to use fall protection equipment when working at heights, so check in your jurisdiction for requirements in your area—However, it’s often required when working at heights 10-ft or higher.

Yard Maintenance Safety Tips for Trimming Branches Set-up  

• Make sure you are properly trained on how to use any equipment being used.
• Some jurisdictions may have regulations about the type of training required for tree cutting and trimming—It’s always a good idea to get trained whether it’s necessary or not. (Training rarely hurts, but injuries do).
• Before trimming a tree, inspect the area to identify possible hazards (e.g. power lines, broken or cracked limbs).
• Don’t use conductive tools near power-lines (e.g. certain ladders, pole trimmers).
• Mark off your work area and prevent bystander access. Inspect your fall protection equipment, lines and ladder before each use.
• If climbing the tree, inspect the tree and its limbs for cracks and weakness before the climb.  

Operation  

• Wear the right PPE for the job, like:  Leather gloves to protect your hands. Hard hat to protect your head from any branches that may fall above you. Safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from dust. Ear protection to muffle loud noises coming from equipment. Non-slip shoes Pants or chaps with sewn-in ballistic nylon pads, preferably ones that extend to the beltline rather than ones that stop at the upper thigh as they provide extra protection.
• Fall Protection – If working at a height (necessary if above 10ft), fall protection equipment like body belts, harnesses and lanyards should be used. Need fall protective equipment? We’ve got you covered!   Break small dead branches off by hand as you climb 
• Remove larger branches with the proper tools.
• Be sure that you can see the cut you’re making, so you do not cut hand lines, safety ropes, etc. unintentionally.
• Work with a partner – It’s always a good idea to work with another person who stays on the ground while you’re climbing. In the event of an emergency, both you and your partner should have training in CPR and first aid.  

The #1 way to ensure your safety is being in the know – And that comes with proper training and education! Hercules SLR recognizes that and through the Hercules Training Academy, offers an extensive suite of high-quality safety training and certification courses. Brand new classrooms and specialized training equipment enable us to provide an even higher quality of service than ever before when it comes to safety training.

Whether you’re looking for initial or refresher training, we provide practical, hands-on courses designed to exceed the minimum safety requirements. Our courses can be customized to fit your workplace’s specific needs. We are always willing to design a course (or multiple courses) specifically for you! If you’re interested in building a customized training program, please get in touch. One of our training representatives would be happy to help you get started.