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Safety

You may be chomping at the bit to begin installation, but before you do, it is essential to familiarize yourself with basic install safety measures. Even consummate professionals take safety very seriously– being aware of what the risks are and how to mitigate them goes a long way towards preventing injury that can interrupt your life for weeks, months, or even years.

You may be chomping at the bit to begin installation, but before you do, it is essential to familiarize yourself with basic install safety measures. Even consummate professionals take safety very seriously– being aware of what the risks are and how to mitigate them goes a long way towards preventing injury that can interrupt your life for weeks, months, or even years.

  1. Underground and Utility Safety
    • Ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date locations for all utilities, including:
      • Electrical lines
      • Gas pipes
      • Water mains
      • Communication cables
        • In your site inventory or basemap, you probably marked all utility lines and boxes on your site. If you called 811 and had them visit your site and mark all underground lines, your map should be quite accurate and can be used as a tool to plan digging. Alternatively, if you were working from existing documents to map utilities, you should still call 811 to have them visit your site for the most updated and accurate location services.
    • If you aren’t sure how deep an underground line is buried, either get professional verification from your utility locator service or do not dig in that location. 
  2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • Safety glasses/goggles to protect your eyes from:
      • Flying debris
      • Dirt and dust
    • Work gloves
      • Leather gloves (for rough work like digging or moving rocks)
      • Breathable fabric gloves (for lighter tasks like moving plants)
    • Closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from:
      • Heavy falling objects or toe jams
      • Preventing wounds from sharp objects
    • Hearing protection to protect your ears from:
      • Power tools
      • Loud hammering or other impact sounds
    • Dust mask/respirator to prevent:
      • Inhaling dust, dirt particles, or sawdust
  3. Physical Safety
    • Use proper lifting techniques:
      • Bend at the knees, not the waist
      • Keep your back straight
      • Avoid twisting while lifting
      • Hold objects close to your body
    • Take regular breaks:
      • Hydrate frequently; drink electrolytes if you’re sweating a lot
      • Rest in a cool area to avoid heat stress or stroke
      • Stretch to prevent muscle strain
    • Consider the weather:
      • Avoid working during extreme heat or cold
      • Use sunscreen and other sun protection
      • Wear weather-appropriate clothing
  4. Tool and Equipment Safety
    • Inspect your tools. Fully functioning tools are not only safer to use, but easier as well. Check for:
      • Damage or wear (rusty shears, broken metal, splintered wood, etc.)
      • Secure handles (on shovels, saws, etc.)
      • Clean and sharp cutting edges (on shears, saws, etc.)
    • Handle tools properly:
      • Use tools only for their intended purpose
      • Maintain a clean organized workspace
      • Keep tools well-maintained
      • Store tools properly when not in use
    • Take precautions with power tools:
      • Check electrical cords and sources for damage
      • Disconnect tools from power when not in use
      • Never carry tools by the cord
  5. Final Safety Reminders
    • Never work alone on complex projects
    • Trust your instincts if something feels unsafe
    • Prioritize safety over speed
    • Keep your phone on you and first aid essentials easily accessible