Tips to Improve Your Tailgate Safety Training - LandcareNetwork.org

MARCH 2008
Editor’s note: PASS ON EACH ISSUE OF THIS NEWSLETTER TO EVERYONE WITH SAFETY
RESPONSIBILITIES AT YOUR COMPANY.
Tips to Improve Your Tailgate Safety Training
KEY POINTS:
• “Tailgate” safety training is an effective
way to train green industry workers.
• Low literacy-level workers and others
who may have short attention spans
can greatly benefit from these five- to
10-minute oral training sessions.
• Train on just one topic at a time. But
don’t be afraid to repeat such critical
subjects as proper lifting, reducing slipand-trip
injuries, and defensive driving.
• PLANET has produced many
English/Spanish tailgate training
lessons you can use. See the Safety
SOLUTIONS Checklists for Safe
Practices inserts. Also see the four
English/Spanish Safety Tips Sheets
developed as a product of the
PLANET-OSHA Alliance.
Checklist for Improving Your Tailgate
Safety Training
Rotate supervisors who present your
tailgate training sessions. Even the best
trainer can burn out. Also, employees
may begin tuning out the same trainer
week after week no matter how good
that person is.
Regularly review your company’s injury
and incident records for tailgate topic
ideas. And ask your employees where
they think more training is needed.
Make sure your crew leaders have
been trained in how to present a
tailgate session. Then have them
conduct brief sessions at job sites
before each day’s work begins.
Give nonsupervisory employees a
chance to lead tailgate sessions. Since
these are oral sessions, it is not
necessary that they have high literacy
levels. Choose employees with good
safety records who are respected by
their coworkers.
Find visual aids that trainers can use to
supplement their oral training sessions.
Some examples of “props” used by the
Engledow Group, a PLANET and
STARS Safe Company Program
member, are chain saw chaps that had
cuts in both legs by a chain saw, and a
pair of safety glasses that had a nail
driven through the lens.
Don’t stop holding regular tailgate
training sessions, then start them up
again and not expect problems. If you
stop holding sessions, the message
you are sending your workers is that
safety is only important some of the
time.
Look for crew leaders and others who
have expertise in a certain subject, then
ask them to lead a tailgate session on
that topic. For example, an experienced
forklift operator with a good safety
record would be a logical person to
lead a session on forklift safety. A crew
member who regularly puts his tools
and supplies away without being asked
would be a good candidate for a
session on “good housekeeping.”
Invite outside persons to your company
to periodically lead tailgate sessions.
This will help increase attention from
participants. One excellent choice is
your insurer. Another might be a vendor
(such as your skid-steer loader vendor).

Reduce the Risk of Injuries From Zero-Turn Mowers
KEY POINTS:
• Numerous deaths in our industry have resulted from operating zero-turn mowers (or Z
mowers) too fast, too close to bodies of water, or on steep slopes.
• Installing a fold-down, rollover protective structure (ROPS) with a seat belt is a good way to
reduce the risk of Z mower fatalities. It’s important, however, that the ROPS is kept in its
upright position as much as possible and that the seat belt is used when the ROPS is in its
locked, upright position.
• It’s critical to train your workers in Z mower safety. See the February 2007 Safety
SOLUTIONS Checklist for Safe Practices insert for an English/Spanish training lesson you
can use.
Zero-Turn Mower Operators’ Dos and Don’ts
DO —
• Watch your speed when operating a Z mower. And be sure to slow down when you are
about to make a turn.
• Keep a close eye out for such obstacles as rocks, fallen branches, or other debris in the
mowing path. These obstacles could result in your mower tipping over.
• Always wear the seat belt when your Z mower’s rollover protective structure (ROPS) is in
the fully upright position. The ROPS and the seat belt will help prevent you from being
crushed by the mower if it tips over.
DON’T —
• Operate a Z mower on a slope that is greater than 15 degrees. Check with your crew leader
or another supervisor if you are uncertain of the slope.
• Fold down the ROPS on a Z mower unless you need to for clearance. If you do fold it down,
return it to its fully upright and locked position as soon as possible.
• Operate a Z mower too close to river banks, retaining walls, sudden drop-offs, lakes, ponds,
streams, or other bodies of water.
Safety Checklist for Zero-Turn Mower Operators
Check the condition of the terrain before you begin mowing. Wet or muddy terrain can result
in losing traction and in your mower tipping over.
Always wear safety glasses when operating a Z mower. They will help protect your eyes
from airborne sticks and other debris.
Keep a safe distance away from the mower’s blades.
Do not remove safety devices. Report any
missing or damaged safety guards or shields
to your crew leader or another supervisor.
Prepared by Barbara Mulhern for:
Professional Landcare Network
950 Herndon Parkway, Suite 450
Herndon, VA 20170
(800) 395-2522 Fax: (703) 736-9668
Web site: LandcareNetwork.org
The association of members who create
and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in
communities across America.
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