Rakes, Hoes & Landscape Hand Tools

Rakes, hoes, edgers and cultivators look harmless, but landscapers, laborers and homeowners hurt their backs, shoulders and wrists with them every day, and a rake left tines-up is a classic cause of face and foot injuries.

• Landscaping
• Laborers
• Homeowners

Common tools

• Bow (steel) rake: spreading gravel, soil and asphalt; rigid tines
• Leaf rake: light debris; flexible tines
• Asphalt (lute) rake: leveling hot mix; heavy and hot. See Asphalt Paving
• Hoes and cultivators: weeding, breaking soil, mixing concrete or mortar in a tub
• Edgers and spades: cutting edges along beds and walks

Hazards

• Stepped-on tines: a rake lying tines-up can flip the handle into your face, or the tines can puncture your foot.
• Back and shoulder strain: long stretches of bending, twisting and reaching. See Lifting & Ergonomics.
• Blisters and wrist strain from gripping hard and repeating the same motion.
• Sharp edges on hoes and edgers, especially when freshly sharpened.
• Hidden hazards: buried wires, irrigation lines, glass, needles and stinging insects.
• Heat and sun on long outdoor days. See Heat Illness.

Working safely

• Choose a handle long enough that you can work standing nearly upright.
• Keep your back straight, move your feet instead of twisting, and switch your lead hand often.
• Pull toward you with short strokes instead of long reaches.
• Wear gloves and sturdy boots; safety glasses when chopping roots or working gravel.
• Keep coworkers out of your swing and stroke area.
• Take breaks and rotate tasks on long jobs.
• Call 811 before digging more than a few inches with edgers and spades. See Call 811.

Carrying and storage

• Lay rakes and hoes down with the tines or blade facing down, or stand them against a wall tines-in
• Carry tools at your side, pointed down, not over your shoulder in a crowd
• Secure tools in a trailer rack so they don’t slide or fly out
• Check handles for splinters, cracks and loose heads
• Keep blades sharp enough to cut, but cover them when stored

Last updated: October 2, 2026