Worm Man's Worm Farm

http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

Hi, this is Keith with www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com I am overlooking the Tennessee River just outside of beautiful Chattanooga, TN. Today, I am going to discuss a few items you need to operate your lawn care business safely.

Footwear: You may be tempted to wear a rough pair of sneakers to mow the grass. Dont do that. I recommend a sturdy pair of work boots. You dont necessarily need a steel toe. Some people prefer it. Some people dont. I like a work boot with a high profile and a solid sole. It is vital to keep your feet healthy and protected from rocks and other objects which may strike your foot as you are working.

Work socks: A solid pair of work socks. I like to wear hiking socks which wick moisture away from your feet and are comfortable to wear and walk in for long periods of time.

Pants: I like to wear shorts when I am giving estimates and doing other non-work activities. They are cool and look professional during the summer. When you are actually working, nothing beats a pair of long work pants. Heavy material protects you from being pelted with rocks from weedeaters and mowers. If you are not going to wear long work pants, at least get a pair of shin guards to protect your legs from rocks and other flying debris.

Shirts: Brightly colored shirts give a professional appearance. A short sleeved shirt is great for work but when the sun is shining sometimes you need a long sleeved shirt. Light colored, long-sleeved athletic jerseys keep the sun off your arms and help keep you cool and wicks away moisture.

Sunscreen: If you are going to wear short sleeves get some good sunscreen. I use Banana Boat SPF 30. Thats good enough for my skin. You might need a higher or lower SPF.

Safety Vest: If you work close to traffic you should wear a brightly colored safety vest. In some states OSHA will require you and your employees to wear these vests if you doing any type of contract mowing work near traffic. Also, if you do certain types of Government contract work you will be required to wear safety vests. Before you buy safety vests, check if there are color and reflection requirements.

Safety goggles and glasses: It is very important that you protect your vision. Lawn mowers and weedeaters kick up stones, sticks, and other debris. These objects can do a lot of damage to you eyes. I recommend you never do any lawn work without OSHA approved safety goggles. Make sure your pair has side shields and fit snuggle to give your eyes maximum protection. You can get them with clear lenses or with uv protection for sunny days.

Face shield: For more difficult jobs where you are working around lots of debris flying around, do yourself a favor and purchase a complete face shield. Mine is a polycarbonate clear shield which works well. Mesh shields are also available at hardware stores. I like the full face shield as it increases protection. You should also use safety goggle under the shield.

Hearing protection: There are two types. The most effective set I have is a pair of pistol range ear muffs. They greatly reduce the noise level of lawn mowers, string trimmers, and weedeaters. Foam ear plugs are great for reducing noise too. Sometimes, I wear both sets of hearing protection at the same time if I am working with loud equipment for long periods of time. Always use hearing protection.

Gloves: Your hands are important and can be damaged while operating lawn care equipment. A pair of leather gloves can protect you from blisters and calluses. I like to wear gloves with knuckle protection strips to give extra protection.

Hard hat: Some of your work may include cutting small branches from trees. Carry a hard hat in your truck for such occurrences.

These are just a few devices which can make your job safer. This list is not all inclusive. Check the website www.OSHA.gov for complete information. Always follow all equipment instructions and best use practices for all work you do.

If you want to run a better lawn care business, check our lawn care business materials, tutorials, instructional videos, estimating calculators, and strategy guides at: http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

Ken Chiarella…instantly.

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