Job Hazard Analysis: Mowing and trimming

A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts.

Steps, hazards and controls

1. 1. Park the truck and unload mowers and tools from the trailer.

   • Struck by passing traffic while working at the curb side of the trailer.High
     • Park off the road or as close to the curb as possible, with the ramp facing away from traffic.
     • Turn on hazard lights and set out cones behind the trailer.
     • Wear a high-visibility vest or shirt when working near the street.
   • Mower tips over or rolls off the ramp while loading or unloading.High
     • Park on level ground, set the truck parking brake, and chock the trailer wheels.
     • Make sure the ramp is fully down and pinned. Drive the zero-turn slowly and straight, with no one standing beside or behind it.
     • Back the zero-turn down the ramp only if the manufacturer's manual says so, and follow the manual.
   • Back or shoulder strain from lifting trimmers, the walk-behind mower, and gas cans.Medium
     • Roll the walk-behind mower down the ramp instead of lifting it.
     • Lift with your legs, keep the load close, and get a partner for anything awkward.

2. 2. Walk the property and pick up debris before cutting.

   • Rocks, sticks, wire, dog toys, and trash thrown by mower blades or trimmer line.High
     • Pick up every object you can see before starting any machine.
     • Flag or note sprinkler heads, valve boxes, stumps, and holes you cannot remove.
   • Steep slopes, ditch banks, and pond edges where a riding mower can roll over or slide in.High
     • Identify slopes steeper than the manufacturer's limit and wet or soft areas. Mark them as walk-behind or trimmer only.
     • Keep the zero-turn at least one mower width away from drop-offs, ditches, and water.
   • Stinging insects, fire ants, snakes, and poison ivy in tall grass and beds.Medium
     • Look before you reach into shrubs, under decks, or around fence posts.
     • Tell the foreman about nests or snakes and mark off the area. Workers with bee allergies carry their epinephrine.
     • Wear long pants and gloves when working in beds and tall grass.

3. 3. Fuel the mowers, trimmers, and blower.

   • Gasoline fire from fueling a hot engine or from a spark.High
     • Shut the engine off and let it cool for a few minutes before fueling.
     • Use approved safety gas cans with labels. Keep the 2-cycle mix can clearly marked and separate from straight gas.
     • No smoking within 50 ft. Fuel outdoors, never inside the enclosed trailer or truck bed with a plastic liner. Keep a fire extinguisher on the trailer.
   • Fuel splashing in the eyes or on the skin.Medium
     • Use a spout and pour slowly. Do not overfill. Wipe up spills before starting the engine.
     • Wear safety glasses and gloves while fueling. If gas gets in your eyes, rinse with clean water for 15 minutes.

4. 4. Mow turf with the zero-turn and walk-behind mowers.

   • Riding mower rollover on slopes or near drop-offs.High
     • Stay off slopes marked as walk-behind or trimmer only. Mow slopes up and down with the zero-turn, never across. Do not mow wet slopes.
     • Keep the ROPS bar up and wear the seat belt. With the ROPS folded down, do not wear the seat belt, and fold it down only where you must to clear low branches.
     • Turn slowly and do not make sharp turns or sudden stops on grades.
   • Foot or hand cut or amputated by mower blades.High
     • Never remove or bypass the operator-presence controls, blade brake, or discharge chute guard.
     • Shut off the engine, wait for the blades to stop, and pull the spark plug wire before clearing a clog or touching the deck.
     • Never pull the walk-behind mower backward toward your feet. Wear steel-toe or sturdy leather work boots.
   • Bystanders, children, pets, or coworkers hit by thrown objects or run over.High
     • Stop the blades when anyone comes within 75 ft of the discharge side. Point the discharge away from people, cars, and windows.
     • Look behind you before backing up. Never give rides on the mower.
   • Loud engine noise causing hearing loss.Medium
     • Keep mufflers in good repair and limit time on the loudest machines by rotating tasks.
     • Wear foam earplugs or earmuffs whenever an engine is running.

5. 5. Trim around obstacles and edge sidewalks and beds with string trimmers and the stick edger.

   • Eye and face injuries from rocks, mulch, and trimmer line thrown back at the operator.High
     • Keep the trimmer guard installed and in good shape. Use the correct line size from the manual, not wire.
     • Keep coworkers at least 50 ft away. Stop the trimmer when people, cars, or windows are in the path.
     • Wear safety glasses at all times, plus a face shield when edging along concrete or gravel.
   • Hand, arm, and back strain and vibration from long trimmer use.Medium
     • Use the shoulder harness and adjust the handle to your height.
     • Rotate trimming with mowing or blowing and take short breaks.
     • Wear work gloves to reduce vibration and blisters.
   • Burns from touching the hot muffler or gear head.Low
     • Let the trimmer cool before changing line or setting it down near your legs.
     • Shut off the engine before changing line or clearing wrapped grass.

6. 6. Blow clippings off sidewalks, driveways, and patios with the backpack blower.

   • Dust and debris blown into eyes, nose, and mouth.Medium
     • Blow with the wind and away from people, open windows, doors, and parked cars.
     • Use the lowest throttle that does the job.
     • Wear safety glasses. Wear a dust mask when it is very dry and dusty.
   • Noise from the blower.Medium
     • Use a lower-noise blower when available and limit blowing time.
     • Wear earplugs or earmuffs while the blower runs.

7. 7. Load equipment, secure the trailer, and clean up.

   • Mowers or gas cans shifting or falling off the trailer while driving.High
     • Set the mower parking brake and strap each mower down with ratchet straps.
     • Lock trimmers and the blower in racks. Secure gas cans upright in a rack.
     • Raise and pin the ramp, and check the hitch, safety chains, and lights before leaving.
   • Heat illness after hours of work in sun and heat.High
     • Schedule the hottest jobs early in the day. Give new and returning workers lighter workloads their first week.
     • Drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you are not thirsty. Rest in the shade.
     • Watch each other for dizziness, confusion, cramps, or stopped sweating, and tell the foreman right away.
   • Lightning when storms move in.High
     • Stop work and get inside the truck or a building when you hear thunder. Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back out.