Groundskeepers Safety Guide

Objectives

Scope

Target Audience

Summary

Section I

Health and Safety Committee Basic Facts

1. The Law Says
2. Elements of On-the-Job Safety
3. Safety Tips for New Employees
4. Safety Tips for Supervisors

Section II

Maintaining a High Standard of Safety

1. OSH Responsibilities
2. Safety Inspections
3. Accident Investigation and Reporting
4. First Aid

Section III

Landscaping

1. General Precautions
2. Equipment
3. Shovelling and Digging
4. Garden Tractors
5. Power Lawn Mowers
6. Riding Lawn Mowers
7. Grass Trimmers and Brush Cutters
8. Compact Loaders
9. Snow Throwers
10. Machinery Hazards
11. Tree Trimming
12. Pesticides – Precautions
13. Pesticides – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
14. Truck Start-Up –"The Circle Check"
15. Waste Management
16. Infectious Waste

Section IV

Personal Protective Equipment

1. PPE Checklist
2. Safety Glasses
3. Safety Footwear
4. Hard Hats
5. Hearing Protection
6. Respirators

Section V

Electrical Safety

1. Basic Electrical Safety
2. Electric Power Lines

Section VI

Chain Saws

1. Safe Use of Chain Saws
2. Kickback
3. Basic Chain Saw Operations
4. Maintenance and Service
5. Handling, Transportation and Storage
6. Personal Protective Equipment

Section VII

Safety Guidelines for the Work Environment

1. Chemical Safety
2. Noise
3. Fire Safety
4. Substances from Trees and Plants
5. Vibration
6. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
7. Working in Hot Environments
8. Bites and Stings
9. Hantavirus, Histoplasmosis, and Psittacosis
10. Mites, Chiggers and Ticks
11. Working in Cold Environments

Section VIII

Health and Safety Legislation

1. Canadian OH&S Legislation
2. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
3. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Legislation

Section IX

Sources for Further Information

1. Canadian Government Departments Responsible for Occupational Health and Safety
2. US Federal Safety and Health Agencies