Be Safe with Your Spring Cleaning
SPRING CLEAN-UP and SAFETY
Tim Butcher, OSHA Coordinator
Tim Butcher, OSHA Coordinator
Spring cleaning in Ohio is more complicated this year since the winter
weather has been severe. Ice storms, tree damage and flooding have given people
a lot of clean-up projects to do as warm weather slowly works its way into the
state. Take care to clean up debris safely to make sure you do not get hurt
before the real work of spring starts. Consider the following suggestions before
you head out to tackle the job:
Take it easy and pace yourself - It feels great to be outside after a long winter, but don't over do it. Unless you have been active all winter, your body has been pretty sedentary. Get help when you need it, the work goes faster and heavy lifting is less likely to result in injury if you work with a partner.
Wear good boots. - Steel-toed boots or shoes are a good idea anytime anything heavy could end up on your feet. Slip resistance is critical if you are working on slippery or uneven surfaces, and don't forget: ankle support!
Wear safety glasses - Flying objects may not be an issue, but when you are reaching into trees, cutting limbs and moving branches there are plenty of risks to your eyes. Safety glasses come in plenty of styles and sizes. If you need protection from the sun, shaded safety glasses are also available.
Wear a hard hat - A hard hat is a good idea if you are working where there are overhead or side impact hazards. When removing branches from a fallen tree sometimes the tree will twist in unexpected directions. The hard hat should fit snugly-it should stay on when you are bending over.
Use chainsaws carefully - If you are using a chain saw during the cleanup, remember all the safety gear that should go with it: face shield, hearing protection, and chaps. Inexperienced chainsaw users should ask an expert for direction before tackling complex jobs, such as felling trees.
Chip wood safely - Don't forget your hearing protection or your eye protection while using a chipper shredder. Wear work gloves that are snug. They are less likely to get caught on a piece of wood being pulled into the chipper shredder.
Collect litter with caution - Sometimes unmarked containers end up
on properties in floodplains or next to creek banks. If you find unidentified
garbage on your property, treat it with caution and dispose of it properly. Wear
gloves while handling the garbage, unmarked containers may contain flammables or
toxic material.
It certainly is nice to be outside after the long winter we have had.
Taking some precautions when getting your property cleaned up can help make sure
that you are ready for the spring and summer work that lies ahead.
