| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect work area before mowing | Hidden debris, holes, soft ground, pets or pedestrians | Walk area; remove stones, sticks, and trash; mark hazards; ensure area is clear of the public |
| Inspect mower and PPE | Loose belts, damaged blades, low tire pressure, missing PPE | Check ROPS, guards, blade sharpness, safety switches, fuel, and tires; confirm all PPE is worn |
| Mount mower safely | Slipping off step, three point contact failure | Use grab handles; maintain three points of contact; avoid mounting on slopes |
| Start mower | Unexpected movement, rotating blades | Start on flat ground; verify parking brake is engaged; keep feet clear of deck |
| Engage blades only when safe | Flying debris, sudden load | Use low throttle at first; point discharge chute away from people and vehicles |
| Mow slopes correctly | Rollovers, loss of traction | For lawn tractors: mow up and down slopes. For zero turn mowers: mow across slopes. Avoid steep slopes entirely |
| Watch for ground hazards | Holes, wet grass, drop offs | Slow down on uneven ground; reroute around unstable edges; avoid operating near drainage ditches |
| Maintain safe speed | Loss of control, tip hazard | Operate at moderate speed; reduce speed when turning or on slopes |
| Keep discharge chute clear | Rocks or debris thrown far distances | Never allow bystanders within 50 feet; use bagger or mulch plug when needed |
| Avoid obstacles | Hitting trees, posts, or structures | Slow down; trim around obstacles first using push mower or string trimmer |
| Operate near roadways | Struck by vehicles, low visibility | Wear high visibility vest; use cones; keep mower entirely off the roadway |
| Backing up | Blind spots, running over objects | Look behind before moving; back slowly; avoid backing downslope |
| Stop for pedestrians or pets | Unexpected movements | Disengage blades immediately; wait until area is clear |
| Clear clogs or check blades | Entanglement, cuts | Shut off engine; remove key; wait for blades to stop; use tools to clear deck |
| Refuel mower | Fire hazard, spills | Shut off engine; refuel outdoors; allow engine to cool; keep fuel container closed |
| Avoid mowing in hazardous weather | Reduced traction, lightning | Do not mow during storms, heavy rain, or when grass is extremely wet |
| Shut down mower | Noise, hot engine parts | Lower deck, disengage blades, set brake, turn off engine; allow mower to cool before storing |
| Load mower for transport | Roll off hazards, equipment damage | Use ramps; drive up slowly; tie down mower securely |
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
Steel toe or sturdy work boots
High visibility vest when near roadways
Long pants
Gloves (optional but recommended)
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Parks and Grounds Maintenance
* 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.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect work area before mowing | Hidden debris, holes, soft ground, pets or pedestrians | Walk area; remove stones, sticks, and trash; mark hazards; ensure area is clear of the public |
| Inspect mower and PPE | Loose belts, damaged blades, low tire pressure, missing PPE | Check ROPS, guards, blade sharpness, safety switches, fuel, and tires; confirm all PPE is worn |
| Mount mower safely | Slipping off step, three point contact failure | Use grab handles; maintain three points of contact; avoid mounting on slopes |
| Start mower | Unexpected movement, rotating blades | Start on flat ground; verify parking brake is engaged; keep feet clear of deck |
| Engage blades only when safe | Flying debris, sudden load | Use low throttle at first; point discharge chute away from people and vehicles |
| Mow slopes correctly | Rollovers, loss of traction | For lawn tractors: mow up and down slopes. For zero turn mowers: mow across slopes. Avoid steep slopes entirely |
| Watch for ground hazards | Holes, wet grass, drop offs | Slow down on uneven ground; reroute around unstable edges; avoid operating near drainage ditches |
| Maintain safe speed | Loss of control, tip hazard | Operate at moderate speed; reduce speed when turning or on slopes |
| Keep discharge chute clear | Rocks or debris thrown far distances | Never allow bystanders within 50 feet; use bagger or mulch plug when needed |
| Avoid obstacles | Hitting trees, posts, or structures | Slow down; trim around obstacles first using push mower or string trimmer |
| Operate near roadways | Struck by vehicles, low visibility | Wear high visibility vest; use cones; keep mower entirely off the roadway |
| Backing up | Blind spots, running over objects | Look behind before moving; back slowly; avoid backing downslope |
| Stop for pedestrians or pets | Unexpected movements | Disengage blades immediately; wait until area is clear |
| Clear clogs or check blades | Entanglement, cuts | Shut off engine; remove key; wait for blades to stop; use tools to clear deck |
| Refuel mower | Fire hazard, spills | Shut off engine; refuel outdoors; allow engine to cool; keep fuel container closed |
| Avoid mowing in hazardous weather | Reduced traction, lightning | Do not mow during storms, heavy rain, or when grass is extremely wet |
| Shut down mower | Noise, hot engine parts | Lower deck, disengage blades, set brake, turn off engine; allow mower to cool before storing |
| Load mower for transport | Roll off hazards, equipment damage | Use ramps; drive up slowly; tie down mower securely |
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
Steel toe or sturdy work boots
High visibility vest when near roadways
Long pants
Gloves (optional but recommended)