Everyone is familiar with the many smells of summer- hot dogs, hamburgers, swimming pools, ice cream trucks, and freshly cut grass. Homeowners take pride in their yards during the summer, mowing and landscaping regularly while the weather is warm. However, lawn mowers and tractors are not without safety hazards.
What are the Dangers?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, every year nearly 5,000 children are treated in emergency departments for injuries caused by power mowers, resulting in deep cuts, loss of fingers and toes, broken and dislocated bones, burns, and eye and other injuries.
Larger, tractor-style power mowers are common to municipal operations and can result in serious injury or death. According to a Massachusetts Fatality Assessment & Control Evaluation, on June 15, 2017, a 57-year-old equipment operator was killed while operating a ride-on mower at a municipality-owned pump station. Corresponding reports indicate that while turning the mower, he struck a low-lying rock covered by vegetation, overturning the mower and pinning the operator against the ground resulting in death. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, since fall 2019, thirty-five workers died in the U.S. in lawn mower roll-over incidents. Commercial riding mowers can weigh upwards of 1,500 lbs.- the larger the piece of equipment, the bigger the risk of pinning and entrapment.
It is also important to ensure that any equipment used is without safety recalls and properly maintained. In June, 2024, the manufacturer Kawasaki recalled engines used in a number of popular lawn and garden equipment manufacturers including many John Deere and Kubota tractors and mowers. On June 6, 2024, Kawasaki issued a voluntary recall of approximately 68,500 engines sold in the United States, and an additional 900 in Canada. This recall involves Kawasaki engines used in lawn and garden equipment sold under brand names Bad Boy Mowers, BigDog, Bobcat, Cub Cadet, Hustler, John Deere and Kubota. The recalled engines can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. A complete list of recalled products can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list.
Safety Tips
The following are some tips to ensure lawn equipment users and bystanders remain safe:
- Choose mowers in good condition with protective guards over the blades and engine.
- Pick up anything that can get lodged or fly out before you start mowing.
- Wear goggles, hearing protection, gloves and long pants.
- Use a piece of equipment to remove anything lodged in the mower (not hands), ensuring it is off before doing so.
- Keep children away from all lawn mowers, even if not powered on.
- Do not allow children to ride on a mower, which can result in serious injuries.
- Look behind when backing up a rider mower to avoid pets and children.
- Avoid alcohol and distractions when operating a mower or tractor.
Operating well-maintained equipment with the proper safety precautions can help avoid injury to you and your loved ones, so everyone can enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass all summer long.
If you or someone you know has been injured by someone’s negligent operation of a mower or lawn equipment, or by a defective mower or tractor, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about the potential liability of the operator, manufacturer, or retailer. SUGARMAN has decades of experience in dealing with negligence and defective product matters. If you wish to speak to one of our attorneys, please fill out a Contact Form, call us at (617) 541-1000, or e-mail