Horticulture II, Unit 1: Examine first aid and safety procedures used in landscape construction and

maintenance

Table Contents

• Section One: Unit Study Guides

• Section Two: Credit slip work

• Section Three: Lab Activities, research assignments and presentations

• Section Four: FFA Activities

• Section Five: SAE Activities

Student assignment:

• Read unit one study guide and complete the attached worksheet

*Emergency situations

• The first thing you should do in an emergency situation is to get Emergency Medical Services (EMS) help from the local rescue squad

*Pesticide poisoned victims

• The best first aid procedure for a person that you suspect has been poisoned by a pesticide is to follow the first aid advice on the pesticide label and immediately take the label and person to a medical facility

*Pesticide vapors

• The best first aid procedure for a person has been exposed to pesticide vapors is to get the person to fresh air

*Pesticide spills

• If individuals spills a pesticide on themselves, they should remove any contaminated clothing immediately and wash the exposed skin with mild soap and water

Storing pesticides

• A good safety rule to follow in the storage of all pesticides is store each pesticide in it original container

Disposing of pesticide containers

• When disposing of pesticide containers the user should dispose of the rinsed containers in an approved sanitary landfill

*Precautions on pesticide labels

• The first step in avoiding first aid procedures related to pesticide accidents is to read and follow precautions on the pesticide label

*Swelling

• The best first practice to use to reduce swelling of an injured area is to apply ice to the area

*Back injuries

• Are the most common injury suffer by landscape technicians and workers

*Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

• In most communities Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can be activated by calling 911

*Profuse bleeding

• The very last resort that should be used when trying to control profuse bleeding is to use a tourniquet

*Impaled objects

• The only time that an impaled object is removed from a person prior to professional medical treatment is when the object might cause the person to choke if it was swallowed

*Ear plugs

• Are devices that provide the most protection against hearing loss when using equipment or machinery that produce loud noise (chain saw, weed eater, riding mowers)

*Chain saw

• The safest way to carry a chain saw is to carry the chain saw with the guide bar pointed behind you

Cutting with a chain saw

• The safest way to start a cut with a chain saw is to jam the spikes (dogs) on the chain saw into the wood adjacent to the cut

*Chain saw safety equipment

• Individuals using a chain saw should always wear safety glasses, gloves, ear plugs and chain saw chaps

Chain saw chain speed

• The speed of a chain saw chain revolving when prior to the starting a cut is one-half to three quarters of full speed

*Safety glasses or goggles

• Landscape workers should wear safety glasses whenever they are using landscape equipment (chainsaw, weed eater, mower, edger, trimmers, pole pruning saw)

Lawn mower blades

• Before removing a lawn mower blade, the operator should disconnect the spark plug wire from the engine spark plug to prevent the engine from starting

Using pull mowers

• The safety way to cut grass on slopes when using a push mower is to is to work the slope from side to side (horizontal)

Operating a trimmer

• When operating a trimmer, operator can practice safety during refueling by turning the engine off and allowing the unit to cool before refueling

• When using a trimmer, one safety rule that operators should follow and that is wear shoes that protect their feet

Using a blowers

• The greatest danger in using a blower is from flying dust and particles

Edger

• Before unclogging the assembly on an edger, the operator should shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop

Tractor accidents

• Crushing accidents involving tractors can be prevented by staying clear of the tractor’s articulation and pinch points

• Tractor operators should always perform this safety practice to prevent themselves from slipping and that to clean mud or grease from the tractor platform, steps, and pedals to avoid accidents

Rotovators

• Operators of tractors with rotovators attached should make sure the PTO guards are in place on the tractors

Tractors with ROPS system

• The operator of a tractor with a ROPS system should always wear the safety belt

Gloves

• Cotton gloves are recommended or useful when laying pavers to protect the landscape worker hands

Cutting brick pavers

• When cutting brick pavers with a brick chisel, the landscape worker should wear safety glass or goggle