They're speedy, low to the ground and can turn on a dime. Zero-turn radius mowers (Z-mowers) have improved productivity for
landscapers, grounds maintenance and commercial lawn care crews. But they also bring with them a stepped-up need for safety
training.
Roll bars offer zero-turn mower operators a measure of safety.
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"Water, retaining wall drop-offs and slopes may expose walk-behind units to substantial damage, but present little risk of
injury to an operator," says Bob Bogel, risk manager at Cagwin & Dorward in Novato, CA. "However, the same hazards mishandled
while riding a Z-mower with its high center of gravity offer a strong possibility of rollover and serious personal injury."
Bogel, whose company's landscape maintenance crews operate approximately 20 zero-turn mowers throughout the San Francisco
Bay area, adds: "The speed and abrupt turning ability that make Z-mowers so productive is a double-edged sword in terms of
safety. This is particularly true on slopes. Any slope exceeding 15 degrees should be maintained with a walk-behind. Given
the sharp turning radius and shorter time to react, operators must be alert to their surroundings to avoid the elevated risk
of property damage."
Sam Steel, Director of Projects and Grants for the National Safety Council in Itasca, IL, says that zero-turn mowers "require
well-trained operators who are aware of the sensitivity of the control levers and the importance of staying away from such
potential hazards as slopes, wet mowing conditions and obstacles that could compound or increase the level of risk, such as
trees, plant beds, ponds or water retention areas, retaining walls and curbs." Many of the zero turn-related injuries that occur, Steel says, are the result of excessive speed. "The operators are being
pushed to complete the jobs in a very tight time frame. As a result of that, they're taking risks that get them into trouble,"
he says.
Brave or smart? Just picture yourself operating one of these mowing wonders. It's your first opportunity to use this machine that's highly
maneuverable, exceptionally fast (at least for a mower) and allows you to get the job done quickly - something you're certain
your supervisor will appreciate. Why wouldn't you clip along at a high speed and think about your plans for the evening rather
than the risks at hand?
That's exactly what often does happen, and unfortunately it can result in serious injuries or even death.
Bob Schroeder
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David Kennedy, account manager at GroundMasters' Kentucky Branch, says speeding is the biggest zero-turn hazard he sees. This
includes speeding "both in parking lots during transport and on the turf." Sudden stops while going backwards is also a problem.
"Men being more brave than smart," he adds. At The Bruce Company in Middleton, WI, Operations Manager Bob Schroeder says the biggest zero turn-related hazard he sees
is "running into things. Operators think they can get into certain areas but they can't." Schroeder, whose landscape contracting
company has about two dozen of these units in use in Middleton, Milwaukee and Racine, WI, adds that "getting them to stop"
is also a major problem. "On steep slopes, they may lose traction, then it (the mower) won't stop until it gets to the bottom
- whatever that bottom may be," he says.
Landscape company managers and operators should be aware of several other hazards when using these speedy mowers. Here are
a few examples:
- "Operating without seat belts and roll bars," says Jason Hall, Account Manager at GroundMasters Tri-County Branch, headquartered
in Cincinnati, OH.
- Jamie Jamison, Brandywine Nurseries, Wilmington, DE: "Safety issues we find are keeping the safety and operator's presence
switches in operation, parking brakes, guards and shields."
- Mike Graves, Account Manager, GroundMasters' Dayton (OH) Branch, says the biggest hazard he has observed is "the blade flap
(that blocks the deflector chute) being able to be pulled up or down from the sitting position."
