Gardening safety awareness

The Better Health Channel warns that sunburn on uncovered skin can begin in just a few minutes of ultraviolet (UV) exposure. For Victorians, it recommends checking each day’s sun protection times between September and April.

On days when the UV index reaches 3 or higher, its advice is to cover up — long sleeves, long pants and a hat with a wide brim — and to use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. Working in shade and staying out during the hottest hours help too.

The guidance says that ignoring safety precautions and using the wrong tool for the job are common causes of garden injuries. It suggests equipment that meets Australian standards, has safety devices such as guards, and is the right size for you.

It advises following the manufacturer’s instructions, never removing or tampering with safety guards, and checking and cleaning equipment regularly. For lawnmowers, it lists risks such as open wounds, broken bones, burns and eye injuries from flying sticks and stones.

The Better Health Channel notes that gardening can cause back pain and overuse injuries. It suggests avoiding long sessions, warming up with slow, sustained stretches, and doing basic back stretches along the way.

It also recommends rotating tasks so you don’t repeat the same movement for too long. Its example is swapping from raking to pruning after about 15 minutes. Other suggestions are to rest often in the shade with water and to avoid uncomfortable positions.

Many garden injuries involve hands and fingers. The guidance recommends always wearing gardening gloves; leather gloves help protect against thorns and bites. It suggests digging with a tool rather than fingers, as buried glass, metal or roots can cause injury. It notes that even minor cuts carry a tetanus risk, and advises seeing your doctor about any tetanus-prone wound.

Legionnaires’ disease can be caught from potting mix. The guidance suggests reading the instructions on the bag, wearing a mask and gloves, and washing hands with soap and water afterwards.

The guidance notes that many garden injuries involve children, especially those under five. It suggests keeping children well clear of working equipment and hot mowers, not letting young children operate machinery, and storing garden chemicals on high shelves behind locked doors. Young children should never be left unattended near water, including buckets, ponds and pools.

For older people and their carers, it suggests warming up and taking frequent breaks, flat non-slip paths, sun protection, water or juice instead of alcohol, and treating cuts, bruises and bites straight away.

In an emergency, call triple zero (000). The Better Health Channel also lists your GP (doctor), garden supply centres and gardening equipment manufacturers as places to get help.

This course is an introduction only. For the full guidance, read the Better Health Channel’s gardening safety page, and talk to your GP about any health questions.