Incident Investigation: Out-of-Control Riding Mowers Injure Workers | WorkSafeBC

Summary

The video script highlights the dangers of operating riding mowers on wet, steep slopes without proper safety measures. It recounts three accidents at a golf course, emphasizing the need for a safety program, regular meetings, and risk assessments. The importance of training, supervision, and using mowers with rollover protection is stressed to prevent such incidents, as wet grass and slick tires can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.

Takeaways

• ⚠️ Riding mowers can be dangerous on slopes and without rollover protection systems, leading to serious injuries or fatalities.
• 🌧️ Heavy rain can make grass slick, increasing the risk of mowers sliding and causing accidents.
• 🛴 A young worker suffered a skull fracture after a mower slid on wet grass and fell into a sand bunker, highlighting the importance of tire grip.
• 📉 The same hillside has seen multiple accidents, indicating a recurring hazard that has not been adequately addressed.
• 🚜 Mowers with heavy rollers and treadless tires are particularly prone to sliding on wet surfaces, which is a significant safety concern.
• 👷 Workers have been seriously injured in similar incidents, emphasizing the need for better safety measures.
• 🚫 Experienced operators avoid the dangerous location after heavy rains, suggesting that knowledge sharing is crucial for safety.
• 🔒 The lack of a safety system and communication protocols at the workplace puts workers at unnecessary risk.
• 🛠️ Implementing a safety program, regular safety meetings, and accident investigations can help prevent such accidents.
• 📏 Conducting a rollover risk assessment on golf courses can determine the best equipment and operating procedures for different terrains.
• 🚫 Avoid operating mowers on steep slopes or near drop-offs to minimize the risk of rollovers.
• 👨‍🏫 Training and supervising workers on safe operation procedures and reviewing the operator's manual is essential for safety.
• 💺 Using mowers with rollover protective structures and seat belts can save lives by providing an extra layer of safety.

Q & A

What are the major causes of injuries and fatalities when using riding mowers mentioned in the script?

The major causes are slopes and the lack of rollover protection systems.

How many accidents occurred at the golf course hillside as described in the script?

Three accidents occurred at the location.

What type of tires were on the mower involved in the most recent incident?

The mower had smooth, treadless tires to minimize damage to the greens.

What weather condition contributed to the accidents on the golf course?

Heavy rainfall the night before made the grass slick, causing loss of traction.

What was the outcome of the most recent accident involving a young worker?

The worker was thrown from the mower, which then struck him, fracturing his skull.

What happened in the second accident at the location?

A worker lost traction and the mower rolled onto its side, seriously injuring the worker.

What action did the worker take in the third accident to avoid a worse outcome?

The worker managed to steer away from the drop-off and jumped from the mower before it crashed.

Why did other experienced mower operators consider the location dangerous after heavy rains?

They recognized the risk of accidents due to the slick grass and slopes and chose different routes.

What steps are suggested in the script to prevent such accidents from happening?

Implement a safety program, hold regular safety meetings, investigate accidents, conduct a rollover risk assessment, avoid mowing on steep slopes, train workers, and consider using mowers with rollover protection and seat belts.

What specific safety features for mowers are recommended in the script?

Mowers equipped with rollover protective structures and seat belts are recommended.

What is the final reminder given in the script regarding the operation of mowers?

The reminder is to drive safely and remember that wet grass, steep slopes, and smooth tires don’t mix.