Warning on rotary motor-mowers
Rotary motor-mowers are an underestimated danger, says the Consumers’ Institute. The institute’s director, Mr R. J. Smithies, said in a press statement that accidents with motor-mowers were frequent and often serious. The Accident Compensation Commission reported 60 cases last year.
“Users don’t recognise that they are dealing with a highly dangerous machine,” he said. “In the worst cases, feet have been amputated after being mangled by mowers’ steel blades, and lost fingers and toes are commonplace.” Back injuries from lifting heavy mowers were also common. Hospital statistics suggested that “float on air”
motor-mowers were particularly dangerous, he said. < Safety precautions could greatly reduce the injury risk. Mr Smithies advised users to wear strong footwear and never to try to unblock the mower’s grass shute when it was running. Mowing across slopes was safer than vertical movements. Children and pets should be kept away.
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Press, 28 October 1981, Page 31
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147Warning on rotary motor-mowers Press, 28 October 1981, Page 31
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