This article was written a while ago when it wasn't frowned upon to have a small fire in the back garden to burn old garden waste!
A couple of weeks ago I was having great fun building a fire in the back garden. I was so engrossed in the complexities of building the ultimate inferno that I failed to look where I was going. In just a one second lack of concentration my foot went into a hole, which was no more than a couple of inches deep. The sensation was the same as walking down the street and failing to see the curb until you’ve stepped off it. Needless to say it was enough of a jolt to put my back out for a week and a half. I nearly managed to spin it out for two weeks but the sympathy from the family was wearing out fast so it was back to getting the coal in, painting the kitchen and stacking mushroom compost bags in the back garden.
Accidents such as this are all too commonplace. The garden can be a place where hidden dangers can lurk. I don’t want to put anyone off gardening, but it is always a good idea to follow a few health and safety rules.
Before you start in the garden it might be worth considering having a tetanus jab, or having a booster if one is due. Even the smallest cut can get infected. The one’s to be most wary of are the deep cuts that don’t bleed, as apparently the germs stay in the cut and aren’t washed out by the blood. It’s good practice to always wash your hands when you come in from the garden and if you have any cuts treat them with disinfectant (we use diluted tea tree oil).
Now that I am on the subject of health and safety, here are a few more suggestion for garden safety. (I’m making the list up as I go along so if I miss anything I apologise in advance)
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE GARDEN
When using weed killers and chemicals always follow the manufacturers instructions and wear safety clothes no matter how daft you look.
Keep all chemicals, even organic ones like nettle juice out of the reach of children.
Even if you are totally organic with your chemicals there are still dangers. If you are using fresh manures such as hay or straw wear a facemask if there is a lot of dust. If the bales are warm then there will be mould spores which wont do your lungs any good at all either.
Take care using machinery. Wear steel toecap boots and long trousers when using mowers and strimmers. Walk around the area to be cut and remove all objects like stones and children’s toys (dog poo is best removed as well before the strimmer hits it!)When using any tool, especially
power tools- be sure you understand how they work.
Make sure all tools are in good condition and cutting blades are sharp. Blunt tools can be dangerous.
Do some light duties first, or better still some limbering up exercises to avoid pulling any muscles later.
When a garden activity causes you pain. STOP. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if the job is too heavy.
Avoid staying in one position too long. Switch tasks often. I tend to have a few minutes potting plants a few minutes bending such as tending to some plants, then a few minutes stretching, picking beans etc. Then half an hours rest in a sunny spot.
Use the strongest muscles for the job. Use your legs, not your back, when using a spade or lifting things. Use the forearm and elbow, not the wrist or fingers, when using a trowel. Use the palm of your hand to push levers and tools, not your fingers. And use your strongest arm to pick up your mug of tea.
If you are working on your own in an isolated area such as woodland, let people know where you are or carry a mobile phone in case of an accident.
Here’s one that is very relevant to me. Only use a tool for what it was designed for. I have lost count of the amount of spade handles I have broken trying to get large stones out of the ground.
Don’t be an accident waiting to happen when carrying things. Carry less and make a few more trips.
This is probably for earlier on in the year when the sun is hotter, if you have sensitive skin then some protection is needed in the form of sun cream or in my case a hat to stop my bald patch getting sunburn.
Check around the garden regularly for potential hazards. Bamboo canes can be very dangerous for the eyes when they are stuck into the ground, put plant pots on top of them so you don’t catch yourself when you bend over. Never leave tools lying around, put them away in a safe place. Never leave a rake on the ground with the spikes sticking up; if you tread on them and the handle fly’s up, you’ll see stars for a week.
If you use a ride on mower go up and down the slopes rather than across them. The push mowers are usually safer if they go across the slope instead of up and down to avoid slipping. I have heard some harrowing tales of people using hover mowers on steep banks and slipping, resulting in serious injuries.
If you are considering any excavation work in the garden check for underground pipes and cables before any work is started.
Keep your body fluids up when doing any work in the garden, preferably water, to avoid dehydration. And stop regularly to admire your handy work.
Horticultural.
A couple of weeks ago I was having great fun building a fire in the back garden. I was so engrossed in the complexities of building the ultimate inferno that I failed to look where I was going. In just a one second lack of concentration my foot went into a hole, which was no more than a couple of inches deep. The sensation was the same as walking down the street and failing to see the curb until you’ve stepped off it. Needless to say it was enough of a jolt to put my back out for a week and a half. I nearly managed to spin it out for two weeks but the sympathy from the family was wearing out fast so it was back to getting the coal in, painting the kitchen and stacking mushroom compost bags in the back garden.
Accidents such as this are all too commonplace. The garden can be a place where hidden dangers can lurk. I don’t want to put anyone off gardening, but it is always a good idea to follow a few health and safety rules.
Before you start in the garden it might be worth considering having a tetanus jab, or having a booster if one is due. Even the smallest cut can get infected. The one’s to be most wary of are the deep cuts that don’t bleed, as apparently the germs stay in the cut and aren’t washed out by the blood. It’s good practice to always wash your hands when you come in from the garden and if you have any cuts treat them with disinfectant (we use diluted tea tree oil).
Now that I am on the subject of health and safety, here are a few more suggestion for garden safety. (I’m making the list up as I go along so if I miss anything I apologise in advance)
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE GARDEN
When using weed killers and chemicals always follow the manufacturers instructions and wear safety clothes no matter how daft you look.
Keep all chemicals, even organic ones like nettle juice out of the reach of children.
Even if you are totally organic with your chemicals there are still dangers. If you are using fresh manures such as hay or straw wear a facemask if there is a lot of dust. If the bales are warm then there will be mould spores which wont do your lungs any good at all either.
Take care using machinery. Wear steel toecap boots and long trousers when using mowers and strimmers. Walk around the area to be cut and remove all objects like stones and children’s toys (dog poo is best removed as well before the strimmer hits it!)When using any tool, especially
power tools- be sure you understand how they work.
Make sure all tools are in good condition and cutting blades are sharp. Blunt tools can be dangerous.
Do some light duties first, or better still some limbering up exercises to avoid pulling any muscles later.
When a garden activity causes you pain. STOP. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if the job is too heavy.
Avoid staying in one position too long. Switch tasks often. I tend to have a few minutes potting plants a few minutes bending such as tending to some plants, then a few minutes stretching, picking beans etc. Then half an hours rest in a sunny spot.
Use the strongest muscles for the job. Use your legs, not your back, when using a spade or lifting things. Use the forearm and elbow, not the wrist or fingers, when using a trowel. Use the palm of your hand to push levers and tools, not your fingers. And use your strongest arm to pick up your mug of tea.
If you are working on your own in an isolated area such as woodland, let people know where you are or carry a mobile phone in case of an accident.
Here’s one that is very relevant to me. Only use a tool for what it was designed for. I have lost count of the amount of spade handles I have broken trying to get large stones out of the ground.
Don’t be an accident waiting to happen when carrying things. Carry less and make a few more trips.
This is probably for earlier on in the year when the sun is hotter, if you have sensitive skin then some protection is needed in the form of sun cream or in my case a hat to stop my bald patch getting sunburn.
Check around the garden regularly for potential hazards. Bamboo canes can be very dangerous for the eyes when they are stuck into the ground, put plant pots on top of them so you don’t catch yourself when you bend over. Never leave tools lying around, put them away in a safe place. Never leave a rake on the ground with the spikes sticking up; if you tread on them and the handle fly’s up, you’ll see stars for a week.
If you use a ride on mower go up and down the slopes rather than across them. The push mowers are usually safer if they go across the slope instead of up and down to avoid slipping. I have heard some harrowing tales of people using hover mowers on steep banks and slipping, resulting in serious injuries.
If you are considering any excavation work in the garden check for underground pipes and cables before any work is started.
Keep your body fluids up when doing any work in the garden, preferably water, to avoid dehydration. And stop regularly to admire your handy work.
Horticultural.
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ciao da lugano, switzerland - giovanna
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