As with any machinery, the operator must bear in mind his or her own personal safety before using a sit on lawn mower. This also includes their attire and individual attributes. Below, we have listed several issues to consider:

  • Always wear clothing that can give you a degree of protection and in particular always wear trousers when operating a sit on lawn mower. This will help reduce accidental skin abrasions with objects such as plants and trees

  • Eye protection is essential in dry cutting conditions. Wear safety glasses in these circumstances to help prevent dry grass cuttings and dust entering eyes, which could cause irritation, reduced vision or infections

  • Whilst nearly all sit on lawn mowers have guards and housings to limit the amount of noise emitted by the machine’s engine and cutting deck when running, it would be advisable to wear ear protection to help further reduce these noise levels

  • Driving gloves or similar will help your holding of the machine’s steering wheel and therefore have improved control of it, which will help reduce minor collisions and fatigue

  • Ensure both hands are on but do not tightly grip the machine’s steering wheel as any sudden ‘kick’ from the steering wheel, which may be caused by the machine’s front wheels striking an unseen object or hole, could cause an injury or even broken thumbs

  • Never operate a machine in bare feet. Wear correct footwear, for example, shoes and not sandals to help prevent accidental cuts to, crushing or loss of your toes and/or feet caused by the sit on lawn mower or collision with an object such as a plant or tree

  • Tie any long hair back as this could be caught by throttle and cutting deck operation levers installed on the machine, which could cause personal injury, unnecessary distraction or may interfere with vision when operating the machine

  • It would be advisable to wear a cap with a visor to help visibility in strong sunlight conditions when operating your sit on lawn mower to help reduce eyestrain and fatigue

  • In strong sunlight conditions, apply an appropriate sun block to any exposed parts of your body, for example, your neck and arms, to help prevent sunburn and therefore reduce fatigue when operating your machine

  • Adjust your machine’s seat to suit your requirements in order that you are sat comfortably and the operating controls, for example, throttle, cutting deck operation levers and brake pedal etc., are safely within your reach

  • If your sit on lawn mower is equipped with a cup holder then take a drink with you in a sealed cup and consume it to help prevent dehydration and reduce fatigue whilst using the machine

  • Ensure that any safety belt attached to the machine’s seat is correctly adjusted around your waist and secured to help prevent possible ejection from your sit on lawn mower and personal injury in the event of an accident or sudden stop