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About ride-on lawn mowers
Ride-on lawn mowers, or ride-on mowers, are larger than push mowers. They’re used to mow large areas of lawn. It has a seat for you to sit on while mowing the lawn.
Risks and injuries from the product
Many have died or been injured by ride-on lawn mowers.
There have been hundreds of ride-on lawn mower injuries in Australia. There are, on average, 2 deaths a year associated with ride-on lawn mowers.
The main risk for lawn mower riders is falling off the mower. The mower runs over or falls on the rider.
There’s also a danger to nearby people, where lawn mowers accidentally run over children or other adults.
Falls
A ride-on lawn mower can tip and cause the operator to fall off if they:
- drive too fast
- accidentally drive over an object
- drive across a slope or uneven surface.
Falling can result in serious injuries or death, especially if the lawn mower then falls on or runs over the rider.
Crushing, amputation and deep cuts
If a ride-on lawn mower runs over or falls on a person it could crush them or amputate their limbs. The mower's blades may cut into skin and flesh.
This can also happen if you try to move or change something while the mower is still on.
Injuries to children
Accidents can happen when children are playing nearby and are reversed over when the user is unaware of their presence.
Some others occur when children are allowed to operate the mower or ride as a passenger with an operator and fall from the mower.
Children are at risk of severe injuries or death around ride-on lawn mowers. Most of these injuries need hospital admission and tragically children have died. Injuries to children can be devastating and life changing with permanent disabilities.
Things to look for when buying the product
There isn’t a mandatory safety standard for ride-on lawn mowers, but the following are the features you should look for when buying one.
- It’s made according to the standard ISO 5395-3 Garden Equipment – Safety requirements for combustion-engine-powered lawnmowers – Part 3 Ride on lawnmowers with seated operator. This voluntary standard helps make sure the mower is safe.
- It's designed to stop the blades cutting while the mower reverses.
- Where possible, buy the mower through a reputable supplier.
- Make sure it works according to manufacturer's specifications.
- If you're buying a second-hand mower, have it inspected by an authorised dealer to make sure safety equipment works properly.
How to use the product safely
Always
- Drive slowly.
- Drive even slower and take extra care when turning.
- Keep your feet on the decking.
- Wear a seatbelt if there is a rollover protection system.
- Don’t mow on steep angles.
- Never travel downhill with the gearbox in neutral.
- Check to see what gradient your mower should be used on. Each ride-on lawn mower is different.
Drive with caution and follow instructions
- Read the mower's operating manual and any other safety instructions before you use it.
- Use all available safety features and wear protective clothing.
- Make sure you let someone know before you mow.
- If you’re mowing on uneven or sloping ground check the safety instructions in the operating manual. It will tell you the best way to mow in these conditions.
- Before mowing, clear any debris from the area and make sure there are no people around, especially children.
- Where there is a risk of a rollover, find an alternative means of mowing, for example a brush cutter, push mower or self-propelled walk behind mower.
- Drive the mower with caution to avoid tipping over.
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Always check behind you before you reverse, like when driving a car. Scan the area behind the mower and make sure there are no people, animals or objects before reversing.
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Make sure you completely shut down the blades before getting off the mower. Shut off the mower even if you get off for small tasks like clearing things from the ground. If your mower has a seat safety switch, don't override it.
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Never travel downhill with gearbox in neutral.
Protect your body
- Protect your eyes and legs against any debris flying around the mower.
- Always wear hearing protection and eye protection, such as safety glasses or goggles.
- Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and long trousers.
Keep kids safe and away from the mowers
- Always keep children away from ride-on lawn mowers.
- Never let children operate them. Children under 16 years old shouldn’t operate a ride-on lawn mower.
- Remove the ignition key after using the ride-on lawn mower. This will help prevent unauthorised use by anyone including children.
- Never leave ride-on lawn mowers unattended while the motor is still running.
- Never allow children to be a passenger on a ride-on lawn mower.
- Make sure children aren’t playing near or around the area when you’re using a ride-on lawn mower.