| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect work area | Rocks, debris, hidden obstacles, pedestrians | Walk area first; remove sticks, stones, and trash; ensure safe distance from bystanders |
| Inspect trimmer and PPE | Loose guards, damaged head, frayed line, missing PPE | Ensure guard is in place; check line head for wear; verify PPE is worn properly |
| Mix or add fuel (if applicable) | Fire hazard, spills | Refuel outdoors with engine off; avoid overfilling; wipe up spills immediately |
| Start trimmer | Kickback, sudden rotation | Start on level ground; hold securely; keep head away from body until running smoothly |
| Hold trimmer properly | Muscle fatigue, loss of control | Use both hands; use shoulder strap if available; keep balanced stance |
| Begin trimming operations | Flying debris (rocks, grass, glass) | Keep discharge direction away from people, cars, and buildings; maintain wide buffer zone |
| Work near buildings or vehicles | Broken windows, paint damage | Slow speed; angle trimmer head away; move cautiously |
| Work near roads | Vehicle hazards, visibility issues | Wear high visibility vest; stay on shoulder; keep back to traffic as little as possible |
| Work on slopes | Slips, trips, falls | Keep sure footing; move side to side instead of up and down; slow down on wet grass |
| Trim around posts, trees, or fences | Kickback, bark damage, hitting metal | Reduce throttle; approach slowly; avoid contact with tree bark to prevent damage |
| Watch for hidden hazards | Wires, litter, glass, metal | Stop immediately if unusual noise or vibration occurs; inspect and remove hazards |
| Adjust line or clear jams | Cuts, entanglement | Shut off engine; allow head to stop completely; use gloves; never adjust with engine running |
| Monitor fatigue and vibration | Loss of grip, muscle strain | Take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes; switch hands periodically if safe |
| Stop work for weather issues | Lightning, heavy rain, low visibility | Cease trimming during storms; do not trim near standing water with electric equipment |
| End of shift cleanup | Hot engine parts, cleaning chemicals | Allow trimmer to cool; clean debris with brush; inspect line head and replace worn line |
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
High visibility vest when near roads
Long pants (no shorts)
Steel toe or sturdy work boots
Cut resistant gloves
Dust mask (optional but recommended in dusty or allergen heavy areas)
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Parks and Grounds Maintenance
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect work area | Rocks, debris, hidden obstacles, pedestrians | Walk area first; remove sticks, stones, and trash; ensure safe distance from bystanders |
| Inspect trimmer and PPE | Loose guards, damaged head, frayed line, missing PPE | Ensure guard is in place; check line head for wear; verify PPE is worn properly |
| Mix or add fuel (if applicable) | Fire hazard, spills | Refuel outdoors with engine off; avoid overfilling; wipe up spills immediately |
| Start trimmer | Kickback, sudden rotation | Start on level ground; hold securely; keep head away from body until running smoothly |
| Hold trimmer properly | Muscle fatigue, loss of control | Use both hands; use shoulder strap if available; keep balanced stance |
| Begin trimming operations | Flying debris (rocks, grass, glass) | Keep discharge direction away from people, cars, and buildings; maintain wide buffer zone |
| Work near buildings or vehicles | Broken windows, paint damage | Slow speed; angle trimmer head away; move cautiously |
| Work near roads | Vehicle hazards, visibility issues | Wear high visibility vest; stay on shoulder; keep back to traffic as little as possible |
| Work on slopes | Slips, trips, falls | Keep sure footing; move side to side instead of up and down; slow down on wet grass |
| Trim around posts, trees, or fences | Kickback, bark damage, hitting metal | Reduce throttle; approach slowly; avoid contact with tree bark to prevent damage |
| Watch for hidden hazards | Wires, litter, glass, metal | Stop immediately if unusual noise or vibration occurs; inspect and remove hazards |
| Adjust line or clear jams | Cuts, entanglement | Shut off engine; allow head to stop completely; use gloves; never adjust with engine running |
| Monitor fatigue and vibration | Loss of grip, muscle strain | Take breaks every 20 to 30 minutes; switch hands periodically if safe |
| Stop work for weather issues | Lightning, heavy rain, low visibility | Cease trimming during storms; do not trim near standing water with electric equipment |
| End of shift cleanup | Hot engine parts, cleaning chemicals | Allow trimmer to cool; clean debris with brush; inspect line head and replace worn line |
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
High visibility vest when near roads
Long pants (no shorts)
Steel toe or sturdy work boots
Cut resistant gloves
Dust mask (optional but recommended in dusty or allergen heavy areas)