Investigation Guidelines

Investigation Guideline
Product: Riding Mowers and Lawn and Garden Tractors
Appendix # : 12
Date amended: July 2004
I. Introduction
A. Background Information
Riding mowers and lawn garden tractors were associated with an estimated 20,900
emergency room treated injuries for each year from 1993 through 2002. The
hospitalization rate was almost twice the average rate of 4 percent for all other products
reported through NEISS. The estimated annual average of deaths upon arrival (DOA) was
88 per year during this 10-year period.
The major hazard patterns for riding mowers and lawn and garden tractors are loss of
stability (tipping/rolling over), runovers/backover, blade contact, and incidents involving
the controls (gear shift, clutch, brake, etc.). Other hazard patterns are entrapment in
moving parts and objects that are thrown by the blade.
Based on the special study of riding mower and lawn and garden tractor related
incidents between 1987 and 1990, the operators in the 5-14 and 65 and older age groups,
operators with height 60 inches and less, and operators with weight less than 125 pounds
or more than 200 pounds received injuries at a higher rate. Operators, eighty- five years
old or older, who contributed about one-tenth of one-percent of mowing time in their
households had the highest rate of injuries.
The objective of the investigations is to evaluate the effectiveness of the standard
requirements ANSI B71.1 Comprehensive Mower Standard in order to reduce the hazards
associated with the use of riding mowers and lawn and garden tractors and for the purpose
of informing the public of hazards involving the use of these products in the presence of
children (as passengers or bystanders)

B. Product Descriptions
Figure 1 and 2 respectively show a rear engine riding mower and front engine lawn
and garden tractor. These two illustrations are typical of the vast majority of the products
in U.S. market. A small portion of the mowers are “specialty mowers”. These include
lever-control mowers, articulated mowers (body of mower is hinged), mower with frontprojecting mower decks, and other variations.

Figure 1
Riding Mower (Rear Engine Type)
(NEISS Code 1422)

Figure 2
Lawn and Garden Tractor (Front Engine Type)
(NEISS Code 1405)

C. Specific Items of Interest
Incidents involving tipping, sliding, rolling over, inability to stop, loss of control,
and run over or back over incidents are of interest.
1. Tipping, Sliding, Inability to Stop, Loss of Control
•

Obtain photographs of the terrain from several angles. Mark key points in the
incident sequence, for example, where mower started to slide and where
mower tipped over.

•

List any terrain features that are in the immediate area where the tipping,
sliding, etc. occurred (e.g. hole. ditch, bump, tree root). Sketch and if
possible, obtain photographs.

•

Diagram the directions the mower was pointing relative to the slope at key
events in the sequence. Label the diagram.

•

If tipping involved, report the direction of tipping (right, left, backwards).

•

State position of vehicle after the incident (e.g. on side, upside down, tipped
partially and returned to wheels)

•

State the position of victim before the incident (e.g. leaning, moved in seat).

•

State position of victim after the incident (e.g. under mower, to the right or to
the left of the mower, etc.)

•

Note any turns made just before tipping and the direction of the turn relative
to the slope.

•

Ask whether, and if so, when, the operator applied either the brake, the
clutch, or the combined brake/clutch at any time during the sequence of
events. If the brakes were applied and the mower did not stop, ask when was
the last time the brakes were adjusted or replaced. WITH OWNER’S
PERMISSION, check the brakes by placing the mower on level ground
(do not try this with mower on a slope, since a mower with poor brakes
might roll away out of control), ENGINE OFF, brakes on, gear shifted in
neutral. WHILE STANDING OFF THE MOWER, push the mower to
see if it rolls or moves, or if the brakes hold the vehicle).

•

Ask whether the mowing deck was on the vehicle at the time of the incident.

•

If the mower goes from a level or sloped area onto an embankment or more
steeply slope area, ask if the embankment or steep slope is usually mowed.
Obtain photographs of the transition area.

2.Runover/Backover
•

Specify if the victim slipped or fell

•

Describe the victim’s/operator’s activity at the time of the incident (riding or
pushing the mower, getting on /off the mower, bystander, passenger, etc.).

•

Specify if the victim/operator was working on an incline or in tall grass.

•

If the incident occurred on a slope, determine slope of the ground.

•

Diagram the location of the victim when last seen and at the moment of the
incident including the direction of mower travel. Also mark the point on
the diagram where the operator shifted into reverse. Measure the distance
(in feet) between the shifting in reverse and the final location of the victim.

•

Ask whether the operator observed the location of the victim prior to the
incident, how long before the incident, and where.

•

Direction the victim approached the mower – front, sides (left or right), or rear
of the mower.

•

Describe whether the victim slid feet first, head first, or hand first or how did
the victim go under the mower?

•

Describe the location where the victim contacted with the mower – under
housing, through discharge chute, front wheels, or rear wheels.

•

Describe whether the victim contacted with the blade. Explain the body parts
that contacted with the blade.

•

Describe the mark or damage to the machine from contact if any.

•

Ask how fast was the mower moving?

•

Ask if the operator routinely mows in reverse and why.

•

Photograph the entire lawn mower. Marking the location of the gear shift
control and accompany labeling noting the position of reverse gear.

If BACK OVER, determine:

•

Location of the engine , in front of the steering control, behind or under the
driver’s seat, or somewhere else.

•

Location of the cutting blades, behind the rear wheel of the mower, under the
mower between the front and rear wheels, on the side, in the deck that is in
front of the mower, or some place else (specify).

•

The blade height setting at the time of the incident.

•

Whether the blade was engaged (the power to the blade was “on”) or
disengaged (the power to the blade was “off”).

•

Whether a grass catcher was attached to the mower at the time of the incident.

•

Whether the vehicle equipped with a safety control device (a system to stop
the blade rotation automatically when the vehicle operates in reverse).

•

Whether the system is functioning. IF THE OWNER WILL PERMIT,
perform the following:
Place the mower on level ground; set the parking brake. Place the
gearshift in neutral. Start the engine. While sitting in the normal
operating position, MAKE SURE THE AREA BEHIND THE MOWER IS
CLEAR. Engage the blade. Disengage the clutch if required. Move
gearshift lever into reverse. Note whether the engine stops. If the engine
does not stop, listen to noise level and observe the airflow. Does it seem
like the blades have stopped? DO NOT MAKE ANY OTHER ATTEMPT
TO CHECK IF THE BLADE HAS STOPPED.

D. Headquarters Contacts
Risana Chowdhury EPHA
Troy Whitfield
ESME

(301) 504 - 7334
(301) 504 - 7548

II. Instructions for Collecting Specific Information
A. Synopsis
•

It is important to describe clearly the sequence of events. Describe what
happened immediately before, during, and after the incident. Include location of
victim relative to the mower, and a detailed description of parts of the mower
involved in the injury.

•

If the vehicle was in motion at the time of the incident, describe the terrain (both
general terrain and local terrain at the point of incident). Describe and
photograph any factor concerning the terrain, the vehicle and the operator’s
and/or victim’s activities which may have contributed to the incident.

B. Description of Incident Environment
•

Outline the general conditions (e.g. sunny, cloudy).

•

Height of grass being mowed.

•

Condition of grass (wet, dry, tall, etc.).

•

Description of surface if not grass (asphalt or concrete, gravel, dirt, wet, dry,
muddy).

•

Description of property and its use.

•

If slopes involved, indicate direction of the mower “facing” – uphill, downhill,
across the hill, diagonal down the hill, or diagonal up the hill.

•

Indicate whether the mower go over a slope, a hill, or a drop-off.

•

Was there a grass catcher attached to the mower and was it full, empty, or partly
full, at the time of the incident?

•

Was the mower equipped with any of additional weights? Specify types of the
weights.

•

Were there any other attachments such as a cart, a plow, a tiller, or something
else on the mower, at the time of the incident?

C. Description of Interaction between Injured Person(s) and Product
•

Specify victim’s/operator’s age, sex, height, weight, and describe any physical
disabilities. Determine whether medication, drugs, or alcohol were taken prior to
the accident.

•

If victim was a mower operator, characterize: the victim’s knowledge of mower
operating instructions, perception of hazard, familiarity with safe mowing
operations, and length of experience with mower involved in the incident.

•

The level of supervision when a child victim was mowing.

•

Victim’s location relative to mower (e.g. sitting on mower, behind mower, getting
on or off mower).

•

If the victim is not the mower operator, characterize: operator’s awareness of the
victim’s presence, victim’s awareness of the lawn mower’s presence, or victim’s
location in relation to mowing operations.

•

Indicate whe ther the operator read the operator’s manual, and how recently prior
to the incident.

D. Description of Product
•

Vehicle classification (provide front, rear, and side photograph) – type (tractor
style, rear engine rider, lever steer, other), manufacturer, model number, serial
number or other id., engine/motor (gas, electric, diesel, front/rear engine, power
rating, manufacturer), location of mower deck, and tire diameter.

•

Manner in which mower was acquired (new, used, rented, or borrowed).

•

Age of mower (if acquired used, state number of years owned and total age, if
known).
Mechanical condition of mower (condition, maintenance level, previous repairs
or modifications) Pay special attention to repair made shortly before the
incident.

•

•

Vehicle controls (steering type – front or rear wheel; shape of control – wheel,
handle bars, levers, or other; gears – location, configuration, number of forward
gears, reverse gears, or hydrostatic; brake/clutch – two separate pedals, one
combined pedal, reverse gear.

•

Starting procedures (electric start, manual rope start, electric with manual backup).

•

Dimensions (wheel base - distance from front to rear wheels, center to center;
front track width – distance between front wheels, outside to outside of tires; rear
track widt h – distance between rear wheels, outside to outside of tires; seat height
relative to ground).

•

Owner’s manual. If possible, obtain a copy of the owner’s manual.

•

Certification to Product Safety Standards. Look for a label that shows
certification to the ANSI B71.1 standard. Note the year given on the label. The
year is needed because there are different versions of the ANSI B71.1 standard
depending on the year.

III. Photographs/ Diagrams of Incident Scene
•

Take a series of good, clear photographs of the incident scene and the product,
simulating the incident sequence.

•

Photograph the vehicle (front, side, rear), the manufacturer’s nameplate, OPEI
certification, warning signs, safety features such as shielding or blade stop control,
vehicle controls, any suspected modifications of the mower and the parts of the
mower causing the injury or involved in the incident.

•

A white rope or other white line or light colored marker laid across the grass may
help in showing up slopes, surface irregularities, and victim/mower position in
photographs.

•

Mark and note where slope measurements were made.

•

Draw sketches and stick diagrams to clearly show the scene, the victim and the
mower location.

•

Show mowing pattern, the position and direction of motion of the mower
throughout the incident, the position of mower operator and the victim, if not the
operator.

•

Show the location of buildings, trees, ditches, and other obstacles.

•

Note any surface irregularities near the point of the incident such as holes, ruts,
sudden changes in slope

IV. Obtaining samples and documents related to the investigation
•

Obtain any official records associated with the incident that may be available.

(Attached DATA RECORD SHEET )

DATA RECORD SHEET
Investigation Guideline
PRODUCT:_Riding Mowers and Lawn and Garden
Tractors_______________
TASK NUMBER __________________________ INCIDENT DATE ___________________________

1. Indicate who is the victim – operator, passenger, or bystander.

2. Type of mower – riding mower or lawn and garden tractor.

3. Brand name (manufacturer), model name/number, and horsepower of the mower.
4. How old is the mower?

5. Describe the type of steering control – steering wheel, bicycle-type handle bar, lever,
or something else.

6. Location of engine – in front of steering control, behind or under the driver’s seat, or
somewhere else.

7. Location of the cutting blades – behind the rear wheels of the mower, under the mower
between the front and rear wheels, in a deck that is in front of the mower, or someplace
else.

10. Describe whether the mower has an automatic blade or engine stop when the driver
gets off the seat or lifts a foot off the pedal.

11. If this safety control is activated, do both the engine and blade stop or does just the
blade stop?

12. Explain why the safety control is not working now. Has it been repaired since the
incident?

13. Was it working at the time of the incident?

14. At the time of the incident, was the engine running or not running?

15. Was the blade engaged (“on” position) or disengaged (“off” position)?

16. Did the rotating blade contact the victim? Describe how did contact occur.

17. Describe whether the driver was sitting on the seat, leaning over though still on the
seat, sliding off the seat, or the driver was completely thrown off the seat at the time of
the incident.

18. Describe if the mower tilted, slid, or rolled over - was it backwards, sideways, or
forwards?

19. Did the driver fall, jump, or was the driver thrown from the mower?

20. Describe whether there were any environmental conditions such as wet grass, uneven
surfaces (holes, bumps, rocks, or obstacles), a steep embankment or anything else that
may have contributed to the incident?

21. Did the incident happen while turning?

22. Was the mower on level ground or was it on a hill or slope just before the incident?

23. Just before the incident, in what direction was the mower facing –uphill, downhill,
across the hill, diagonal down hill, or diagonal uphill?

24. Describe the pattern the slope was being mowed at the time of the incident.

25. Is this slope area usually mowed?

26. Was there a grass catcher attached to the mower at the time of the incident?

27. Was the mower equipped with any additional weights or ballast?

28. Was there any other attachment on the mower such as a cart, a plow, or a tiller?

29. When the incident happened, was the driver shifting gears, trying to brake, releasing
the clutch (pedal), pushing the clutch (pedal)?

30. If the incident related to run over/back over, please describe the direction the victim
approach the mower (such as front, left side, right side, or rear of the mower).

31. Did the victim slide into mower feet first, head first, or hand first? How did the
victim contact or go under the mower?

32. Where exactly on the mower did the victim contact or go under?

33. Did the rotating blade contact the victim?

34. What was the blade height setting?

35. What body parts were contacted with the blade?

36. Did the machine and/or blade stop after the contact?

37. Was there a mark or damage to the machine from contact? Please explain.

38. On the mower, is there a triangular shield with the letters “OPEI” in the center and
the year on the edge of the triangle?