| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Hidden stumps, rocks, holes, uneven ground, steep slopes | Walk site if possible; flag large obstacles; determine safe mowing direction; avoid slopes beyond tractor capability |
| Inspect tractor and brush hog | Worn blades, loose bolts, PTO guard damage, hydraulic leaks, tire issues | Perform pre operation inspection; verify PTO shields are in place; check blade condition, gearbox oil level, and deck safety chains |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, noise, vegetation hazards | Wear safety glasses or face shield, hearing protection, gloves, long sleeves, and steel toe boots |
| Establish work zone (if roadside) | Traffic exposure, distracted drivers | Set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; use cones, signs, and beacons; assign lookout if necessary |
| Mount tractor and prepare equipment | Falls, pinch points, PTO entanglement | Maintain three points of contact; never work around rotating PTO; ensure mower deck is raised safely for transport |
| Determine mowing direction | Tractor rollover, equipment bogging | Plan to mow up and down slopes, not across; avoid wet or soft ground; maintain slow and steady speed |
| Begin brush hogging | Flying debris, blade ejection, striking hidden objects | Engage PTO at low RPM; increase gradually; keep discharge area clear; mow at safe travel speed |
| Watch for hidden hazards | Tire puncture, mower blade damage, ejected objects | Scan ahead constantly; slow down in tall vegetation; stop immediately if mower hits a solid obstruction |
| Maintain safe operating distances | Striking fences, culverts, trees, or buildings | Keep mower deck away from fixed objects; leave a buffer zone and finish by hand if necessary |
| Monitor tractor stability | Rollover hazards, uneven ground | Keep weight low; avoid sharp turns; use ROPS and wear seatbelt at all times |
| Communicate with ground crew | Workers entering hazard zone | Maintain radio contact; keep all personnel away from mowing path and discharge area |
| Handle clogs or wrapped vegetation | Contact with blades, entanglement | Shut off PTO and turn off tractor; allow blades to stop fully; use tools to clear debris; never reach under deck |
| Refuel tractor safely | Fire hazard, burns | Shut off engine; allow cooling before refueling; keep fuel away from ignition sources |
| Shutdown and secure equipment | Hydraulic drift, hot surfaces | Disengage PTO; park on level ground; lower mower deck; allow components to cool |
| Final inspection | Debris left in mowing area, unsafely cut vegetation | Walk area to confirm hazards are removed; check for missed obstacles or debris |
| Remove traffic control (if roadside) | Exposure to active traffic | Remove signs and cones in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep high visibility PPE on until clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended if roadside)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection
Respirator if dust, pollen, or mold is significant
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 | Hidden stumps, rocks, holes, uneven ground, steep slopes | Walk site if possible; flag large obstacles; determine safe mowing direction; avoid slopes beyond tractor capability |
| Inspect tractor and brush hog | Worn blades, loose bolts, PTO guard damage, hydraulic leaks, tire issues | Perform pre operation inspection; verify PTO shields are in place; check blade condition, gearbox oil level, and deck safety chains |
| Don required PPE | Flying debris, noise, vegetation hazards | Wear safety glasses or face shield, hearing protection, gloves, long sleeves, and steel toe boots |
| Establish work zone (if roadside) | Traffic exposure, distracted drivers | Set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; use cones, signs, and beacons; assign lookout if necessary |
| Mount tractor and prepare equipment | Falls, pinch points, PTO entanglement | Maintain three points of contact; never work around rotating PTO; ensure mower deck is raised safely for transport |
| Determine mowing direction | Tractor rollover, equipment bogging | Plan to mow up and down slopes, not across; avoid wet or soft ground; maintain slow and steady speed |
| Begin brush hogging | Flying debris, blade ejection, striking hidden objects | Engage PTO at low RPM; increase gradually; keep discharge area clear; mow at safe travel speed |
| Watch for hidden hazards | Tire puncture, mower blade damage, ejected objects | Scan ahead constantly; slow down in tall vegetation; stop immediately if mower hits a solid obstruction |
| Maintain safe operating distances | Striking fences, culverts, trees, or buildings | Keep mower deck away from fixed objects; leave a buffer zone and finish by hand if necessary |
| Monitor tractor stability | Rollover hazards, uneven ground | Keep weight low; avoid sharp turns; use ROPS and wear seatbelt at all times |
| Communicate with ground crew | Workers entering hazard zone | Maintain radio contact; keep all personnel away from mowing path and discharge area |
| Handle clogs or wrapped vegetation | Contact with blades, entanglement | Shut off PTO and turn off tractor; allow blades to stop fully; use tools to clear debris; never reach under deck |
| Refuel tractor safely | Fire hazard, burns | Shut off engine; allow cooling before refueling; keep fuel away from ignition sources |
| Shutdown and secure equipment | Hydraulic drift, hot surfaces | Disengage PTO; park on level ground; lower mower deck; allow components to cool |
| Final inspection | Debris left in mowing area, unsafely cut vegetation | Walk area to confirm hazards are removed; check for missed obstacles or debris |
| Remove traffic control (if roadside) | Exposure to active traffic | Remove signs and cones in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep high visibility PPE on until clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended if roadside)
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection
Respirator if dust, pollen, or mold is significant