Hazards and Risks with Machinery Use 
There are many hazards and risks which a machine operator needs to be aware of when using a machine. These can include:
- Safety guards: These must be present, where required, undamaged and secured. A machine without its safety guard exposes its user and bystanders to injury from exposed moving parts.
- Stones and debris which might be present on the ground can, if a mechanism comes into contact with them, propel the item into the path of a bystander, injure the operator, or damage property. It is important to ensure that a safe working distance is maintained at all times whilst using machinery and that all guards are correctly fitted and secured. The use of eye protection is essential in areas where potential stones and debris can be a problem as even checking ground beforehand and being diligent using machinery there can still arise an unforeseen item which might be ejected by a machine. If possible, use different machinery or working practices in problem areas. If members of the public encroach within a safe working distance for a machine, then work must stop immediately and not be restarted until they have moved on.
- Using a machine. These can be heavy or tire an operator when used for any length of time. Be careful to manoeuvre the machine correctly, do not overstretch, overexert or misjudge your capabilities and injure yourself. Carry out correct manual handling techniques, including using accessories and materials such as fuel containers, seed or fertiliser bags when refilling distributors, etc.
- Slopes, especially when conditions are moist and potentially slippery, providing poor foot grip with a chance of losing your footing. Machines can readily overturn on slopes, so be aware of the maximum angle at which a machine should be used and operate it within its limits and also to the prevailing ground conditions. The angle of slopes should be assessed and documented as part of a site risk assessment, enabling users to readily determine if a specific item of equipment is safe to use on a particular slope. Use machines with safety cut off tilt switches which prevent use on slopes greater than recommended by the manufacturer.
- Hidden features such as drainage covers, ditch edges, small mammals, ground nesting birds, underground services – electric cables, gas, undersoil heating, fibre-optic cables etc. Use a site map, CAT scanners (especially for deep aeration work on new sites to determine the line of any potential underground services) and mark features to improve visibility of feature. Beware of ground dwelling creatures in long grass, especially when trimming or brushcutting these areas. Injuries to an operator could range from minor to fatal, as well as to other animals.
- Trips or twists from hidden pest damage, such as rabbit holes or fox holes.
- Low hanging tree branches or signs may result in head and/or fall injuries and loss of control of the machine. Maintaining awareness of surroundings at all times and the wearing of hard hats and goggles should be considered in these situations.
- Embankment and ditch edges will often slope steeply or end abruptly. Where watercourses join these edges then this is doubly hazardous. Slips, falls and drowning are to be prevented by the operator being aware beforehand of these features and for them to be signposted or marked in some way.
- Emissions / fumes, vibrations, heat generated by engine and exhaust, and noise from the use of a machine. These can all cause short- and long-term harm, such as burns, white finger, breathing difficulties etc. if not controlled, so wear appropriate PPE and use machinery with the lowest impacts where possible.
- Noise can be a particular problem with some machinery, so the noise levels must be risk assessed. Two-stroke engines can be particularly noisy, however, with the increasing use of battery powered machinery, noise mitigation is possible in many cases.
- Vibration, whether hand-arm or whole body, from the use of machinery, must be risk assessed to avoid and reduce potential injury and illness from inappropriate use and exposure.
- Fire can result from dry grass collecting or being trapped in air filters or around exhaust systems, especially during dry hot weather in the summer.
- Poorly maintained machinery, especially braking systems can be a major hazard, causing potential loss of life where systems fail on tractors, ride-on machinery or vehicles.
- Degraded or worn hydraulic / hydrostatic oil pipes can result in damage to turf through leaks, or to users, in which oil being forced under high pressure through small holes or slits can cause serious harm to a user if they come into contact with it.
- Fire or explosion from fuel spillage onto an engine or machine chassis, or incorrectly fitted fuel cap resulting in fuel leakage during operation. The correct method of refuelling must be carried out, using correct containers and with an appropriate filling spout. Engines must not be refuelled whilst hot.