"A man died after his sit-on lawnmower ended upside down in a garden pond.
"Despite efforts to revive the man, who was in his 60s, after he was pulled from beneath the mower he was declared dead at the scene in Wattisham."
Course: BBC
This is the second fatality in just over a month. The first was a spray operative who died when the vehicle he was on rolled into a lake on Celtic Manor golf course.
This is perhaps a timely reminder for anyone operating near water (or just on steep banks) to re-assess any risks.
I think - rather than just writing a risk assessment and talking operatives through it - I'd be inclined to walk around all hazards with anyone who is either going to be operating a ride-on - and of course, just as importantly, pedestrian - mowers and discuss the nature of the risk, how the risk changes when the surrounding banks are damp and how what the best course of action to take if a mower appears to be about to enter the water.
I'd also consider what emergency action an operator's buddy should take should an accident occur.
Views: 329
Replies
Phil out of interest what do you do if you are on a ride on with a cab that's about to enter the water ?
First of all - before the chance of any accident had occurred - I'd consider whether I needed the door(s) of the tractor to be closed. Open doors would allow a speedier exit.
The prevention of accidents is all about accessing any risk in advance.
I'd also try and work out which way the tractor would be entering the water and then exit through the door that is likely to be facing up.
It's obviously always easier to say what one thinks one should do when there's no risk faced.