| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, roadside obstacles, overhead hazards, uneven shoulders | Conduct site walk through; identify slopes, ditches, guardrails, mailboxes, culverts, and utility lines; establish MUTCD compliant traffic control |
| Inspect boom mower and tractor | Hydraulic leaks, cracked hoses, worn cutting head, faulty guards, steering or brake issues | Perform thorough pre operation inspection; check all pivot pins, cylinder seals, blade condition, PTO shields, and backup alarm |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, noise, vegetation hazards | Wear safety glasses or face shield, hearing protection, gloves, high visibility vest, and steel toe boots |
| Mount and secure equipment | Pinch points, hydraulic movement | Ensure boom is stowed and locked before transport; check tractor ROPS and seatbelt; secure attachments |
| Position tractor on roadway | Backing hazards, traffic conflict, soft shoulders | Use spotter if needed; park tractor with wheels well back from ditch edges; activate hazard lights and beacons |
| Evaluate mowing direction and reach | Overextension of boom, rollover risks | Follow manufacturer slope limits; avoid swinging boom uphill on steep slopes; mow downhill or parallel to slope where safe |
| Begin mowing operation | Flying debris, sudden head movement, striking obstacles | Start mower head at low RPM; gradually increase speed; maintain slow travel speed; keep head away from workers and public |
| Maintain safe distance from traffic | Vehicle strikes, debris hitting vehicles | Keep boom head angled away from roadway; position tractor to create buffer; adjust cones as work progresses |
| Avoid overhead utilities | Contact with energized lines, electrocution | Know boom height; maintain required clearance from overhead lines; stop work if unsure of line voltage or clearance |
| Watch for hidden objects in vegetation | Striking rocks, metal, posts, or debris | Scan vegetation ahead; slow down in dense brush; stop immediately if mower head hits solid obstruction |
| Monitor tractor stability | Rollover risk, shifting ground | Avoid operating on saturated soil; watch for sudden drop offs; use ROPS and seatbelt at all times |
| Communicate with ground crew | Miscommunication leading to mower head strikes | Keep ground crew out of swing and cutting zones; use radios or hand signals; maintain constant visibility |
| Handle blockages or entanglement | Contact with blades, hydraulic movement | Shut down PTO and engine before clearing debris; wait for cutting head to stop completely; use tools to remove obstructions |
| Transport between sites | Boom drift, equipment striking signs or mailboxes | Fully retract and secure boom; keep travel speed safe; ensure mower head is locked |
| Shut down and secure equipment | Hot surfaces, hydraulic drift | Park on level ground; lower boom; disengage PTO; lock attachments; allow components to cool |
| Final site cleanup | Debris on roadway, missed hazards | Remove loose branches or debris; check that roadway is free of obstructions |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic | Take down signage and cones in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection
Respirator if dust, pollen, or mold is present
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Chainsaw, Forestry, and Vegetation Management
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, roadside obstacles, overhead hazards, uneven shoulders | Conduct site walk through; identify slopes, ditches, guardrails, mailboxes, culverts, and utility lines; establish MUTCD compliant traffic control |
| Inspect boom mower and tractor | Hydraulic leaks, cracked hoses, worn cutting head, faulty guards, steering or brake issues | Perform thorough pre operation inspection; check all pivot pins, cylinder seals, blade condition, PTO shields, and backup alarm |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, noise, vegetation hazards | Wear safety glasses or face shield, hearing protection, gloves, high visibility vest, and steel toe boots |
| Mount and secure equipment | Pinch points, hydraulic movement | Ensure boom is stowed and locked before transport; check tractor ROPS and seatbelt; secure attachments |
| Position tractor on roadway | Backing hazards, traffic conflict, soft shoulders | Use spotter if needed; park tractor with wheels well back from ditch edges; activate hazard lights and beacons |
| Evaluate mowing direction and reach | Overextension of boom, rollover risks | Follow manufacturer slope limits; avoid swinging boom uphill on steep slopes; mow downhill or parallel to slope where safe |
| Begin mowing operation | Flying debris, sudden head movement, striking obstacles | Start mower head at low RPM; gradually increase speed; maintain slow travel speed; keep head away from workers and public |
| Maintain safe distance from traffic | Vehicle strikes, debris hitting vehicles | Keep boom head angled away from roadway; position tractor to create buffer; adjust cones as work progresses |
| Avoid overhead utilities | Contact with energized lines, electrocution | Know boom height; maintain required clearance from overhead lines; stop work if unsure of line voltage or clearance |
| Watch for hidden objects in vegetation | Striking rocks, metal, posts, or debris | Scan vegetation ahead; slow down in dense brush; stop immediately if mower head hits solid obstruction |
| Monitor tractor stability | Rollover risk, shifting ground | Avoid operating on saturated soil; watch for sudden drop offs; use ROPS and seatbelt at all times |
| Communicate with ground crew | Miscommunication leading to mower head strikes | Keep ground crew out of swing and cutting zones; use radios or hand signals; maintain constant visibility |
| Handle blockages or entanglement | Contact with blades, hydraulic movement | Shut down PTO and engine before clearing debris; wait for cutting head to stop completely; use tools to remove obstructions |
| Transport between sites | Boom drift, equipment striking signs or mailboxes | Fully retract and secure boom; keep travel speed safe; ensure mower head is locked |
| Shut down and secure equipment | Hot surfaces, hydraulic drift | Park on level ground; lower boom; disengage PTO; lock attachments; allow components to cool |
| Final site cleanup | Debris on roadway, missed hazards | Remove loose branches or debris; check that roadway is free of obstructions |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic | Take down signage and cones in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until fully clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection
Respirator if dust, pollen, or mold is present