The ride-on lawnmower may seem like a tame piece of machinery when compared to its faster and flashier cousin the quad bike. But many of the dangers are the same.
When you add sharp blades spinning at high speeds into the mix, the mower can be even more deadly.
A worker in the South East of South Australia was killed in October 2022 when the ride-on mower he was operating tipped on sloping ground.
Slopes, drop-offs, ditches, embankments and edges are major factors related to loss-of-control and tip-over incidents, which can result in severe injury or death.
Operating a ride-on lawnmower on all slopes and near any hazardous surroundings requires extra caution.
The risks are similar to those faced by quad bike riders, particularly on farms. There have been more than 150 deaths associated with quad bikes since 2011.
About 60 per cent of these deaths were caused by rollover.
Even at slow speeds, a quad bike or a ride-on mower can roll over and trap or crush the rider underneath, resulting in the inability to breathe under the weight of the machine.
When operating a ride-on mower or quad bike you must:
- Ensure the machine and any other equipment are appropriate for use and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
- Know the capabilities and limitations of the ride-on mower or quad bike
- Always refer to operator’s manuals or manufacturer’s instructions for safety instructions and equipment specifications
- Identify any hazards associated with the work - consider the ground conditions, inclement weather and any other environmental factors
- Conduct a risk assessment, in consultation with operators if there is any uncertainty about the hazards or established risk control measures
- Ensure that workers are provided with suitable training, information and instruction to operate the machine safely.
Visit our quad bikes page for more information.
