As we look forward to another hot Texas summer, keeping cool while working outdoors becomes a top priority. Grounds maintenance and landscaping services are two of the top six industries affected by heat-related illness listed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Whether you work in those industries or you’re a homeowner doing lawn care and landscaping during the heat of summer, it’s important to take steps to keep you and your lawn care equipment from overheating.
Know How To Handle The Heat
Educating yourself and your workers (if you’re running a company) about handling the heat is a great starting place. Everyone should know how to check the heat index for the day, take steps to keep themselves cool, and recognize the signs of heat-related illness.
Tracking How Hot It Is
The “heat index” is a measure reported on weather stations and apps that takes both air temperature and humidity into account. It’s measured in the shade, though, and might not reflect how hot it would be to work out in direct sunlight. The higher the heat index, the higher the risk of overheating while working outside.
Green industry companies can use on-site wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitors to measure the impact of air temperature, humidity, sunlight, and wind on the local heat conditions. Those will give you more accurate insight into ambient temperatures and the effect they can have on workers. For a high-tech solution, you can even consider wearable heat monitors (e.g. KENZEN) to help keep workers safe.
Preventing and Treating Overheating
When the heat index is high, everyone working outside should drink water at least every 15 minutes (even if they don’t feel thirsty). They’ll also need to take frequent breaks in shady or air-conditioned areas. Some people are more susceptible to heat than others and need to be extra careful. For example, I took breaks every 10 minutes when I was gardening in the summer while pregnant but normally I only stop for a brief break every 20-30 minutes.
Heat-related illnesses include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. All of them can be dangerous, and everyone working out in the summer heat should know how to recognize signs of heat-related illness and learn how to respond. Concerning signs include muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, and heavy sweating. Act quickly to move to a cooler location, sip cool water, and loosen restrictive clothing. In cases of suspected heat stroke, call 911 (click here for more info).
Dressing for Safety
Typically when we think of dressing for hot weather, we think that wearing shorter sleeves and lighter clothes will help us keep cool. But mowing a lawn in sandals, shorts, and a tank top is a recipe for disaster. There’s nothing to protect you from the equipment you’re using (e.g. flying pieces of wood from a twig you run over with a lawn mower) or from sunburns.
When working outdoors, the National Association of Landscape Professionals recommends wearing “lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a loose hat with at least a 4-inch brim and a drape to cover the back of your neck.” Breathable, lightweight cotton or performance athletic fabrics help you stay cool, while the long sleeves and pants protect your legs and arms from sun and debris kicked up while you’re working.
Make sure that you also remember to wear any necessary safety equipment. Sturdy boots are still a must-have for working with power equipment, and moisture-wicking wool socks can help sweaty feet stay cool and dry. Use work gloves as well as hearing and eye protection as needed, and put on chaps if working with a chainsaw. You might need to take a few more breaks if you’re wearing extra safety gear in hot weather, but it’s worth it to avoid serious injury.
Know How To Protect Your Equipment
Quality lawn equipment is designed to handle things like summer heat, but it’ll last longer and work better if you take steps to prevent overheating.
Keep Things Clean
Cleaning your lawn equipment regularly is a good practice to help it run better any time of the year, but it’s especially important during the heat of summer. Keeping air intake screens, vents, and air filters clean lets air flow through the engine. This helps keep the equipment from overheating.
Troubleshoot Issues
If you’re having trouble with a lawnmower, trimmer, or other landscape equipment getting too hot, there are some troubleshooting things you can try. If it’s a mower with a 4-cycle engine, try changing the oil. Carefully check under the engine cover, and clear out any debris that may be clogging things up. If you can’t find the problem, stop by our maintenance department for prompt, professional repairs.
Take Breaks
Just like us, lawn equipment overheats faster when the heat index is high. When it’s very hot outside, turn the equipment off and let it rest in the shade for a while so the engine can cool.
Start With Quality Equipment
If you want your lawn equipment to hold up to repeated use and perform well season after season, it pays to start with good-quality equipment. Buying from a dealership is one of the best ways to ensure you get equipment manufactured with high-quality materials to exacting specifications. At an authorized dealership, you’ll find dealer-exclusive brands like Scag and STIHL and higher quality models of the brands sold at big-box stores. Dealers also offer personalized service, expert knowledge, and service after the sale.
If you’re looking to buy reliable homeowner or commercial lawn equipment, stop by Richardson Saw and Lawnmower. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you find just the right tool to take care of your lawns this summer.
