Summer (and Spring!) School’s in Session

As your agency departments gear up for seasonal programs and activities, it’s a good time to revisit safety best practices, especially for maintenance employees who will be using mowers instead of snow blowers and cutting cups on the golf course instead of checking sled hills.

“It doesn’t take long to forget the finer points of spring and summer safety practices when you’ve been focusing on fall and winter safety for several months,” explains Seth Norton, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant. “After a long winter — and they all feel long — even experienced staff can forget the finer points. That makes it easier to skip an important safety step when preparing a soccer field, cutting new golf cups or prepping for other events.”

Spring and summer means lawn mowers, weed whackers, full garbage cans to empty, soccer goals and bleachers to move, greens to repair, trees/shrubs/flowers to plant — and the list goes on.

In the rush to get everything done, it’s even more important not to skip a 30 Second Site Safety Walk Through whether for Golf, Parks, Recreation or a Special Recreation Association. “Jumping off a trailer or mower instead of using 3 Points of Contact might result in a back or knee injury instead of saving you a single second,” points out Mary Petersen, PDRMA Risk Management Consultant. “That’s why all employees — seasonal, full-time, part-time — could all use Core 6 training/refresher on safe handling of heavy equipment and the role of ergonomics in their job tasks, whether they work in aquatics, a golf course, recreation, parks or maintenance.” 

Mowing Hazards

Not only does mowing involve the risk of a rollover, but flying debris and unseen/unrecognized ground dangers can injure an operator. ResearchGate reports nearly 80,000 lawn-mower accidents happen annually in the United States. Our Core 6 Approach to Safe Mowing video in English and Spanish is a great way to keep your employees safe this spring and summer.

Ladder Challenges

Ladders are so commonplace and low-tech, it’s easy to forget they’re dangerous. Falls from ladders continue to be the cause of workers’ compensation claims at many member agencies, which is why PDRMA offers its Ladder Alternative Reimbursement Program. If your employees don’t already know Richard Lee’s story, have them watch it here.

Lee followed safety protocols, had a spotter and tested the area and the surface. He even did a test run with the ladder. But he couldn’t have foreseen the recoil of the netting he was fixing would go in an unexpected direction and knock him off the ladder, causing serious injuries.

Take Time to Prepare

Before everyone gets caught up in the hectic rush of spring and summer, take the time to educate and remind your employees of the importance of safety at your agency and in every department. Take advantage of these seasonal refresher courses for all maintenance staff. It will truly be time well spent.

• Core 6 Approach to Safe Mowing — Video — English and Spanish.
• 30 Second Site Safety Walk Through — Videos — Golf, Parks, Aquatics, Recreation, SRA.
• Small Engine and Mower Repair for Maintenance Staff — Video — English.
• Chainsaw Operation and Tree Trimming Safety — Video — English.
• The Richard Lee Story — Ladder Injury — English.
• Trailering Safety — Loading, Unloading, Operating and Working with Trailers — English.