Fall Home Safety: Tool Safety, Leaf Cleanup, and Seasonal Weather Awareness
As we enter the fall season, we feel the crisp air, notice the changing leaves, and get ready for the holidays. While taking in these changes can refresh us, it is also a good time to refresh our knowledge of fall home safety.
House and Property Maintenance
When cleaning or prepping the exterior of your house and property for fall and winter, always remember to use the correct tools. Tools include hand tools such as rakes, shears, shovels, trimmers, etc., as well as ladders, leaf blowers, and other powered equipment.
Tool Safety
Before tackling seasonal cleanup projects, take a moment to inspect the tools and equipment you’ll be using. Proper tool selection, maintenance, and operation can help prevent injuries and make fall property maintenance safer and more efficient. Some simple reminders on tool safety are:
- All ladders need to be used in accordance with their design. Ladders need to have secure footing, be fully spread, and have no missing or broken pieces. And remember, keep off the top step!
- Handles on tools should be unbroken, free of splinters, and securely attached to the tool.
- Cutting edges should be sharp, rust-free, and easy to manipulate. Remember to protect the cutting edges from incidental contact when storing them.
- Battery-powered equipment should be stored fully charged and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations when not in use.
- Fuel-powered equipment must be used only outdoors, with plenty of fresh air and ventilation.
- Remember to store any fuel, oil, cleaners, batteries, etc., away from heat sources and out of the reach of children.
Leaf Reminders
If you have leaves to rake and remove, remember to take frequent breaks, especially if you are raking manually. Avoid moving or lifting piles of leaves that are too heavy or cumbersome and always seek additional help when moving large amounts of leaves or break the task into multiple days if you are working alone.
Changing Weather
With fall comes shorter days and longer nights as well as changing weather conditions. Visibility can be reduced in the early mornings and late afternoons, which can make it more difficult to identify hazards such as:
- Slips, trips, falls, or struck-by incidents while walking.
- Pedestrians, cyclists, or wildlife crossing the road while driving.
- Slippery conditions such as frost, rain, fog, and wet leaves.
- Low-light conditions in neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, etc. Always use care and caution when you are in areas where there are higher concentrations of people moving about.
The changing weather can bring chilly morning temperatures that feel much better later in the day. It’s a good reminder to dress in layers so you can adapt to the changing temperatures. It is also important to hydrate even in cooler temperatures, especially when working outside. Dehydration can contribute to fatigue, reduced concentration, and an increased risk of injury.
A little preparation and awareness can go a long way toward preventing injuries this fall. By using tools properly, pacing yourself during leaf cleanup, and adjusting to shorter days and changing weather conditions, you can safely maintain your home and property while enjoying all the season has to offer.
From ladder and tool safety to weather-related hazards and driving awareness, RETTEW provides comprehensive safety training designed to help organizations reduce risk and promote safe behaviors. Our practical, hands-on approach equips employees with the skills needed to recognize hazards and work safely in every season.
What’s Upcoming?
Keep your team safe on the job. Register for a class today!
All classes are held at the RETTEW Training Center in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, unless otherwise noted.
November 12: First Aid, CPR, BBP, and AED (7:30 AM – 12:00 PM) – Lancaster, PA
November 12: First Aid, CPR, BBP, and AED (12:00 – 5:00 PM) – Lancaster, PA
November 13: First Aid, CPR, BBP, and AED (7:30 AM – 12:00 PM) – Pittsburgh, PA
November 13: National Safety Council Defensive Driving (12:30 – 4:30 PM) – Pittsburgh, PA
November 17: National Safety Council Defensive Driving (12:30 – 4:30 PM) – Mechanicsburg, PA
December 11: HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher (7:30 AM – 4:00 PM) – Mechanicsburg, PA
December 17: First Aid, CPR, BBP, and AED (7:30 AM – 12:00 PM) – Lancaster, PA
December 17: National Safety Council Defensive Driving (12:30 – 4:30 PM) – Lancaster, PA
To register, please contact Ed Kauffman at 717-516-7487 or via email at ed.kauffman@rettew.com, click on the event link above, or enroll through the course listing on our website calendar.
Shaun Davidson, CSP
Mr. Davidson is the Health, Safety & Environment Team Lead with close to 25 years of experience in occupational safety and environmental health. His expertise is in risk identification and remediation; auditing; federal, state, and local government requirement compliance; developing, implementing and managing corporate safety programs and state worker’s compensation programs; and ISO 9001 and 45001 programs. Mr. Davidson also has experience in developing and delivering various training topics, including powered industrial trucks, lockout/tagout, electrical safety, ergonomic safety, emergency action plans, HAZCOM, and machine guarding. He is well versed in industrial hygiene needs including evaluating and sampling for various contaminants as well as noise dosimetry. Mr. Davidson works closely with clients, identifying specific safety and health needs, including conducting gap analyses, providing client site support and auditing, developing and delivering reports, supporting client training needs to achieve compliance, and managing the firm's health and safety consulting program.
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