Focus on Training to Increase Operator Safety

May 27, 2014

Operator safety is extremely important to everyone at Exmark, and we’ve seen first hand how consistent, thorough training can decrease equipment-related injuries due to operator error. This not only makes sense from the perspective of keeping your crews safe, it can also have a significant positive impact on your bottom-line, as the costs of work-related injuries add up quickly.

Operators should plan ahead and actively scan the landscape to avoid clipping discharge in the direction of people, buildings, vehicles or other sensitive areas.

Operators should plan ahead and actively scan the landscape to avoid clipping discharge in the direction of people, buildings, vehicles or other sensitive areas. Learn more about safe mowing at Exmark.com/Safety.

First, operators should read and understand the operator’s manual of each machine they will be using during the work day. In addition to the safety information presented in the operator’s manual, the Exmark website has a number of safety resources for each of the mowers we produce. The Exmark YouTube channel is also a fantastic resource for in-depth operator training videos.

A great example is this four-part video series on safe operation of the Exmark Lazer Z zero-turn mower:

Many of the Exmark safety training videos are also available in Spanish language versions.

It’s important that operators receive safety training both up-front and on an on-going basis. Not only does this better ensure operators receive and retain the important safety information, it also shows that, as an owner and as a business, safety is a top priority. That’s an important message not just for employees to hear, but customers as well.

Ultimately, it’s up to each landscape maintenance professional to determine the right level of safety training for operators. But like many things in life, safety training is a matter of a little investment up-front giving you the opportunity to enjoy greater and more consistent long-term rewards.

Please contact us with feedback or ideas that can help us improve future Exmark safety resources. We’d love to hear from you!