-
Powered Lawn Mowers – Safety Checklist
General Requirements Yes No N/A Comments
1. Are all power-driven chains, belts, and gearspositioned or
otherwise guarded to preventcontact during starting, mounting,
andoperation?
2. Is a shutoff device provided to stop operationof a motor or
engine?(Note: This device must require manualreactivation to
restart the motor or engine.)
3. Are all positions of the operating controlsclearly
identified?
4. Are the words “Caution: Be sure the operationcontrol(s) is in
neutral before starting the engine” or similar wording clearly
visible at an engine-starting control point on self-propelled
mowers?
5. For walk-behind and riding rotary mowers, isthe mower blade
enclosed(except on the bottom) and the enclosureextended to or
below the lowest cutting pointof the blade in the lowest blade
position?
6. If guards must be removed to install a catcherassembly, is a
warning affixed to the mowernear the opening stating that the mower
mustnot be used without either the catcherassembly or the guard in
place?
7. Are openings in the blade enclosure that areintended for
discharge of grass limited to amaximum vertical angle of the
30-degreeopening measured from the lowest bladeposition?
8. Is the word “Caution” or stronger wordingplaced on the mower
at or near the dischargeopening?
9. After declutching or shutting off the power, dothe blades
stop rotating from themanufacturer’s maximum speed within
15seconds?
-
Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Yes No N/A Comments
10. Is the horizontal angle of the opening(s) inthe blade
enclosure intended for the dischargeof grass directed so it does
not contact theoperator?
11. Is the highest point on the blade enclosurefront (except
discharge openings) 1 ¼ inchesor less above the lowest cutting
point of theblade in the lowest blade position?
12. Is the mower handle fastened to the mowerto prevent loss of
control by uncoupling?
13. Is a positive up stop or latch provided for themower handle
in the normal operatingposition? (Note: The up stop shall not
bedisengaged during normal operation of themower.)
14. Do wheel-drive disengaging controls (exceptdeadman controls)
move opposite to thedirection of the vehicle motion to disengagethe
drive? (Note: Deadman controls shallautomatically interrupt the
power to a drivewhen the operator’s activating force isremoved and
may operate in any direction todisengage the drive.)
Riding Rotary Mowers
15. Are openings placed so that grass or debriswill not
discharge directly toward any part ofthe operator’s seat in the
normal operatingposition?
16. Is one of the following present at allopenings in the blade
enclosures intended forgrass discharge?
(a) A minimum unobstructed horizontaldistance of 6 inches from
the end of thedischarge chute to the blade tip circle;(b) Are
vehicle stopping means provided?
17. Are mowers provided with stops to preventjackknifing or
locking of the steeringmechanisms?
-
18. Do hand-operated wheel-drive disengagingcontrols move
opposite to the direction of thevehicle motion to disengage the
drive?
19. Do foot-operated, wheel-drive disengagingcontrols disengage
the drive when depressed?
20. Do deadman controls (both hand and foot-operated)
automatically interrupt the power tothe drive when the mower’s
actuating force isremoved and operate in any direction todisengage
the drive?
KEMI does not assume liability for the content of information
contained herein. Safety and health remain your responsibility.
This information is to be used for informational purposes only and
not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for proper training,
supervision or manufacturers’ instructions/recommendations. KEMI,
by publication of this information, does not assume liability for
damage or injury arising from reliance upon it. Compliance with
this information is not a guarantee or warranty that you will be in
conformity with any laws or regulations nor does it ensure the
absolute safety of any person, place or object, including, but not
limited to, you, your occupation, employees, customers or place of
business.
1 Are all powerdriven chains belts and gears: 2 Is a shutoff
device provided to stop operation: 3 Are all positions of the
operating controls: 4 Are the words Caution Be sure the operation
controls is in neutral before staring the engine or similar wording
clearly visible at an enginestarting control point on selfpropelled
mowers: 5 For walkbehind and riding rotary mowers is the mower
blade enclosed except on the bottom and the enclosure extended to
or below the lowest cutting point of the blade in the lowest blade
position: 6 If guards must be removed to install a catcher assembly
is a warning affixed to the mower near the opening stating that the
mower must not be used without either the catcher assembly or the
guard in place: 7 Are openings in the blade enclosure that are
intended for discharge of grass limited to a maximum vertical angle
of the 30degree opening measured from the lowest blade position:
placed on the mower at or near the discharge: 9 After declutching
or shutting off the power do: the blade enclosure intended for the
discharge: front except discharge openings 1 ¼ inches: 12 Is the
mower handle fastened to the mower: 13 Is a positive up stop or
latch provided for the mower handle in the normal operating
position Note The up stop shall not be disengaged during normal
operation of the mower: 14 Do wheeldrive disengaging controls
except deadman controls move opposite to the direction of the
vehicle motion to disengage the drive Note Deadman controls shall
automatically interrupt the power to a drive when the operators
activating force is removed and may operate in any direction to
disengage the drive: 15 Are openings placed so that grass or
debris: 16 Is one of the following present at all openings in the
blade enclosures intended for grass discharge a A minimum
unobstructed horizontal distance of 6 inches from the end of the
discharge chute to the blade tip circle b Are vehicle stopping
means provided: 17 Are mowers provided with stops to prevent: 18 Do
handoperated wheeldrive disengaging: controls disengage the drive
when depressed: 20 Do deadman controls both hand and foot operated
automatically interrupt the power to the drive when the mowers
actuating force is removed and operate in any direction to
disengage the drive: Group3: OffGroup4: OffGroup5: OffGroup6:
OffGroup7: OffGroup8: OffGroup9: OffGroup10: OffGroup11: OffGroup1:
OffGroup2: Off1: Off2: Off3: Off4: Off5: Off6: Off7: Off8: Off9:
Off