Can a person under the age of 18 work with motorised lawn mowers?

The work of people under the age of 18 work with motorised lawn mowers is restricted.

The use of a motorised lawnmower and line cutter in demanding conditions (e.g. the terrain is hilly, has obstacles, bushes or ditches) is defined by law as work that is hazardous to young people. A person under the age of 16 years may only carry out work classified as hazardous to a young person within the scope of vocational studies under the supervision of a teacher.

Young people aged 16 or over may also work with lawn mowers in demanding conditions, but they must be thoroughly familiarised with the work and the hazards associated with it and instructed on how to act in disruptions. In addition, the necessary protective equipment must be reserved for young people and their performance must be monitored.

The personal protective equipment required for the use of a motorised lawnmower and line cutter usually includes safety footwear, hearing protection and safety glasses based on risk assessment.

The employer must also ensure that the young person working with a lawn care machine has access to first aid equipment, that the young person has been instructed on how to act in an accident and that the young person has the opportunity to call for help when necessary.

Before the start of work, the employer must notify the y to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health of the Regional State Administrative Agency in whose area the workplace is located of any work that is hazardous for young workers. The notification can be submitted using the form Notification on the use of young people aged 16 to 17 in hazardous work (PDF, in Finnish). Contact details for Regional State Administrative Agencies’ Divisions of Occupational Safety and Health are listed under Contact information.