Health Canada
Staying safe and healthy in the garden
Gardening has become an increasingly
popular activity in Canada in recent years.
Gardening offers many emotional and
physical benefits, from peaceful meditation
to vigorous exercise. But gardeners still
need to be careful when using power tools
and equipment and when handling
fertilizers and other chemicals, especially
when there are small children around.
The risks
Injury can happen when a lawnmower
slips or overturns on a slope or wet grass,
when rocks and debris fly out from
underneath, or when clearing clogged
blades while a power mower is still running.
Injuries can be caused by falls from a
ride-on lawnmower, often due to more than
one person riding on it.
Electric shock is a potential danger
when operating tools with frayed cords or in
wet conditions. Excessive noise from power
garden equipment can gradually cause
permanent hearing loss and the inability to
hear warning sounds.
Repetitive strain injury can result from
doing one task for too long. Muscle strain,
back injuries and blisters can be caused by
moving a greater weight than your body can
handle, bending, and improper use of
garden tools.
Dehydration can occur if you don't take
in enough liquid, especially water, when you
exert yourself. Over-exposure to the sun can
cause sunstroke, sunburn and over the long
term, skin cancer.
Bulbs and seeds can be choking
hazards for young children. Some plant
not turn the machine on a slope, and use a
slow speed and low gear.
Before plugging in any power
equipment, make sure the power switch is
"off ".
Use the right equipment, in
the right way, and don’t
overdo!
varieties are toxic to children or pets who
may try to eat them. Equipment can cause
injuries if left lying on the ground.
Safety tips
Power Tools and Equipment
Read, understand and follow all of the
manufacturer's instructions before using.
Always wear proper equipment when using
power tools, including leather shoes or
workboots, ear protection, gloves and safety
glasses.
Keep children out of the mowing area
and never allow them to operate or ride a
lawnmower. Remove all rocks, sticks, toys,
and tools from the lawn before mowing.
Never mow or use electrical equipment in
wet conditions.
Mow across the face of slopes, not up
and down. For ride-on lawnmowers, do not
mow in areas with a slope of over 15
degrees, do not stop or start on a slope, do
Overexertion
Warm up with some slow stretches,
holding each for at least 20 seconds. Find a
comfortable posture for your body and keep
your work in front and close to you, to avoid
reaching and twisting. Use pads or a padded
kneeling stool for work at ground level, and
rotate tasks to avoid injuries from
repetition.
Use the right tools for the job. Use a
wheelbarrow to transport earth and
equipment. Work within your strength and
endurance, pace yourself, and take a break
when you're tired. Make sure you drink
liquids, especially water, when exerting
yourself.
Sun
Avoid gardening between peak hours of
11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is the
strongest, or garden in the shade during
those hours. Wear protective clothing: a
large-brimmed hat, long sleeves and long
pants. Wear a broadband sunscreen with an
SPF of at least 15 on all exposed skin.
Unintentional Injuries
Always safely store all equipment, tools,
garden chemicals, seeds and bulbs out of
sight and out of reach of young children.
Keep a close eye on children when they are
in the garden. Keep them away from ponds,
which can be a drowning hazard.
For more information about staying safe in the garden this summer, visit
www.healthycanadians.ca
6 The HUB July 2017