If you underestimate the risk of injury in the garden, you are endangering your he alth. Occupational safety in the garden is very easy to implement.
The garden is considered a place of relaxation and gardening is often not seen as real work. For many people, digging up the beds, trimming the hedge and mowing the lawn are pure relaxation. In principle, there is nothing wrong with that, if many a garden owner would not take the dangers that lurk in such work lightly.
As absurd as it sounds, a certain level of occupational safety must also be observed in the garden. You are not accountable to any employer or professional association in the private park, but for the sake of your he alth you should comply with a few important occupational safety rules.
Basic rule: The right clothes
Anyone who has ever taken a walk through an allotment garden knows the picture: bare chests, short shorts and baggy clogs made of rubber-like material on their feet. Gardening dressed like this invites accidents and injuries.
Long trousers, sturdy shoes
You don't have to be dressed up like a cosmonaut, but you should at least wear a fitted shirt. In addition, long trousers (also for women!) and sturdy shoes with penetration protection and plastic caps, which are also available especially for the garden. Don't worry, today's work clothing is nowhere near as stiff as it used to be and can therefore also be worn in your free time. Long, airy clothing protects you from cuts and also from sunburn on hot days. You should never do without sturdy shoes, because even when digging, it can happen that you slip with the spade. Everyone can imagine the pain in the foot.
Occupational safety when mowing the lawn
It should be clear to everyone that you never touch the blade of a running lawnmower. But there is also a risk of accidents when mowing the lawn! It has happened to everyone at some point that you are doing your rounds relaxed on the lawn and suddenly a stone is whirled through the airwill. This one can literally get in the eye and cause nasty injuries.
Even if it's a bit of a hassle, search the property for stones and remove them before mowing the lawn. If you have a lawn mower or lawn tractor and want to empty the grass catcher, switch off the lawn mower first.
Maintenance for electric lawn mowers
If you want to clean the lawn mower or make small repairs yourself, always make sure that the device is disconnected from the power supply. Follow the manufacturer's instructions in the manual, hand-tightening screws from time to time.
How to put on a ladder correctly
Not only in the household, but also in the garden, falling from a ladder is a classic accident - unfortunately. Therefore, always make sure that the ladder has a firm footing. In the garden, the ground is often very soft or uneven. You can compensate for that with tiptoes, which can be bought for little money (e.g. free shipping at Amazon).
If you are on the ladder and want to cut a branch that is further away, don't lean too far to the left or right. Climb down and move the ladder.
Do not set the ladder too steeply, otherwise there is a risk that it will tip over backwards. Another accident risk is hands-free handling on the ladder. Therefore: Always hold on with one hand.
Never cut hedges and trees without gloves
One time you're not paying attention and the thorn of the rosebush is stuck in your finger. You'll get over the prick, but if it becomes a deep cut, it's off to the hospital. Such an injury can happen whenever you work with garden shears or hedge shears.
Even with small rose scissors, hobby gardeners have almost severed their fingers. Do not be stingy at this point and therefore always carry out cutting work with safety gloves. "Normal" gardening gloves are not thick enough to absorb a cut.
Danger of poisoning in the garden
I don't want to spoil the fun of gardening for you. Nevertheless, the danger of poisonous plants or chemicals must be pointed out. The best-known poisonous plant in the garden is monkshood, which can cause symptoms of poisoning simply by rubbing the leaves. So if you have children, be careful what you pick up from the garden center.
Chemistry doesn't really belong in thegarden, but there is no other way to get rid of some weeds. If you decide to spray weed killer, seek advice before you buy and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
And also:
Garden tools such as hoes and rakes should be placed upright against the wall. If you stay on the ground and you step on it, it sometimes doesn't just give you a bump.