How to keep safe while using your garden machinery

Gardening can be a rewarding experience, transforming outdoor spaces into places of beauty and tranquility. However, when using garden machinery, safety should always be a top priority. Whether you’re mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, or tackling tough underbrush with a strimmer, the right garden PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and practices can protect you from potential hazards. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential safety tips and the best garden protective wear to ensure your gardening tasks are not only effective but also safe.

Understand Your Equipment

Before diving into the world of garden PPE, familiarise yourself with each piece of machinery you plan to use. Read the user manuals thoroughly, understand the controls, and recognise the safety features of each device. Knowing how to operate your equipment correctly is the first step in preventing accidents.

Protective Clothing for Gardening

When operating garden machinery, wearing the right protective clothing is crucial. Durable fabrics can protect your skin from cuts, abrasions, and irritations caused by flying debris. Long sleeves and trousers made from heavy-duty materials are essential, even in warmer weather, to shield your skin from harm.

Garden PPE Essentials

• Gloves: A good pair of gloves can prevent blisters and protect your hands from cuts and scrapes. When using equipment like a strimmer, gloves also offer a better grip and reduce vibration to your hands.
• Eye Protection: Flying debris is a common hazard, making safety goggles or face shields indispensable. These should be impact-resistant to protect your eyes from dust, wood chips, and other particles.
• Hearing Protection: Many garden machines generate high levels of noise that can lead to hearing damage over time. Use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your hearing, especially during prolonged use of loud equipment.
• Footwear: Sturdy boots with slip-resistant soles and steel toes provide a solid foundation, protecting your feet from sharp objects and heavy equipment.
• Head Protection: If you’re working in an area with a risk of falling objects, such as under trees, wearing a hard hat can prevent head injuries.

Strimmer PPE

Strimmers, in particular, pose specific risks due to their high-speed cutting lines. In addition to the general garden PPE mentioned, consider wearing shin guards or padded leg protectors to guard against flying debris that strimmers often kick up.

Safe Operation Practices

Clear the Area

Before you start any work, inspect the area for obstacles that could pose risks, such as hidden rocks, wires, or branches. Removing these hazards beforehand can prevent damage to your machinery and protect you from potential injuries caused by ricocheting debris.

Maintain a Stable Stance

Ensure you have a firm footing and maintain balance while operating any garden machinery. A stable stance helps you control the equipment more effectively and reduces the risk of accidents.

Keep Bystanders at a Safe Distance

Always be aware of who is around you when operating garden machinery. Keep children, pets, and bystanders away from the working area to avoid accidents.

Regular Maintenance

Keeping your garden machinery well-maintained is not just about efficiency; it’s also about safety. Regularly check for and repair any damages, ensure all safety guards are in place, and sharpen blades to prevent malfunctions or accidents.

Stay Alert

Always be conscious of your surroundings and the task at hand. Avoid using machinery when you’re tired or under the influence of medication or substances that could impair your judgment or coordination.

Know When to Seek Professional Help

Recognise when a job is beyond your skill level or the capabilities of your machinery. For complex or dangerous tasks, consider hiring a professional. It’s better to invest in expert services than to risk personal injury or damage to your property.

Final Thoughts

Gardening should be an enjoyable and fulfilling activity, not one that ends in injury. By investing in the right garden protective wear, following safe operation practices, and respecting the power of your garden machinery, you can ensure that your gardening tasks are both productive and safe. Remember, taking the time to prepare and protect yourself can make all the difference in maintaining not just the beauty of your garden, but also your well-being. Stay safe, and happy gardening!