With summer in full swing, you won’t have to look far to find someone cutting their grass. If you operate a lawnmower for a living, maybe because you work for a landscaping company, you’re well aware of the many safety risks.
Unfortunately, a lawnmower can cause a variety of injuries, with these five among the most common:
- Broken bones: For example, if your foot comes in contact with the mower blade, it can cause a broken bone among various other injuries.
- Cuts: Typically caused by the blade, cuts can occur anywhere on the body. However, this injury is most likely to affect your feet and hands.
- Projectile injuries: It’s hard to spot potentially dangerous items, such as rocks, in the grass. If the blade hits one of these, it could be thrown toward your body.
- Burns: Lawnmower engines get extremely hot during use. Touching the wrong part of the engine can result in serious burns.
- Amputations: This is among the most serious type of lawnmower injury and is caused by a fast spinning, sharp mower blade. Your feet, hands, legs and arms are the body parts with the greatest risk of amputation.
If you suffer any type of lawnmower injury at work, stop what you’re doing and assess your condition. For example, if you cut your leg on the blade, stop the bleeding and find immediate transportation to a local doctor or hospital.
Depending on the type of injury, your doctor may suggest time away from work. This should lead you to learn more about your right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
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