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Landscape and Horticultural
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Hazards and Solutions |
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Landscaping and horticultural service workers are at risk
of injury from a wide variety of potential hazards in this industry, including
exposure to chemicals, noise, machinery, lifting, construction, and weather
related hazards. This page helps identify potential hazards and possible solutions
to specific activities within the landscape and horticultural services industry.
Potential Hazards and Possible Solutions (General)
Hazards which are of concern across the entire Landscape and Horticultural Industry include:
Potential Hazards and Possible Solutions (For a Specific Activity)
Potential Hazards and Possible Solutions (General)
Cuts and Amputations
- Small
Business Handbook. OSHA Publication 2209-02R, (2005). Also available as a
260 KB PDF,
56 pages.
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Hand and Power Tools. OSHA Publication 3080, (Revised 2002).
Also available as a 174 KB
PDF,
32 pages. Includes information on the dangers of hand and
power tools and safety precautions.
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Quick Card: Chipper Winches. OSHA and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Alliance,
(2008, July), 48 KB
PDF,
2 pages. Addresses the potential hazards and safe
work practices regarding operating chipper winches.
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Safety Tips Sheet No. 4: Reducing the Risk of an Amputation.
OSHA and the Professional Landcare Network Alliance, 55 KB
PDF, 1 page. A
94 KB
PDF (Spanish version) is also available.
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Hand Tools Training Guide. Electronic Library of Construction Occupational
Safety and Health (eLCOSH). Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work:
A Guide to Effective Construction Safety Training" series.
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Bright Idea #6 Trailer Lift. Electronic Library of Construction
Occupational Safety and Health (eLCOSH). A trailer mounted hoist can eliminate
lifting and pushing of heavy equipment on the jobsite.
- Machinery and Vehicle Safety: Hand/Power Tools. National Ag Safety
Database (NASD). Provides links to several informative NASD documents
covering many aspects of hand/power tool safety. Some of the documents are in
Spanish.
- NIOSH FACE Program.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control
Evaluation (FACE) Program. Concentrates on investigations of fatal occupational injuries. Cause of
death and recommendations for accident prevention are usually given. The following worker fatal
injury facts were found in landscaping activities while using machinery/tools:
- Landscaper
Crushed Between Backhoe and Truck. New Jersey FACE Investigation
#02-NJ-025, (2002, December 3).
- Grader
Operator Run Over by Rear Tire While Jumpstarting Grader. Michigan FACE
Investigation #01MI056, (2001, July 30).
- Landscaper
Died of Injuries when He was Catapulted from the Operator's Seat of a
Truck-mounted Boom. Colorado FACE Investigation #96CO080.
- Landscaper
Dies when Struck by Front End Loader in Massachusetts. Massachusetts FACE
Investigation #96-MA-016-01, (1996, April 4).
- Landscape
Laborer Dies When the Tractor He is Driving Overturns. Colorado FACE
Investigation #95CO094, (1995, November 6).
- Landscape
Laborer Dies after Being Struck By the Bucket of a Case Skid Steer Loader.
Minnesota FACE Investigation #MN9209, (1992, September 15).
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Fourteen-Year-Old Youth Pulled Into Operating Wood Chipper - Florida.
Florida FACE Investigation #2000-21, (2000, July).
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Tree Trimmer Dies When Pulled into in a Brush Chipper. California FACE
Investigation #00CA010, (2000, July).
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Laborer
caught in chipper/shredder machine--Maryland. Maryland FACE
Investigation #94MD058, (1994).
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Groundsman Killed by Falling Tree Section During Tree Trimming Work in New
Jersey. New Jersey FACE Investigation #00-NJ-087-01, (2001, May 23).
- For additional information, see OSHA's
Hand
and Power Tools Safety and Health Topics Page.
Electrical
- Use
of ANSI C2-1997 as guidance for protecting employees working near insulated shielded conductors.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (2002, September 26). Clarifies safe working clearances for unqualified
persons who work near insulated shielded cables.
- Exceptions
to minimum approach distances for power generation, transmission, and distribution.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (2000, February 10).
Answers a question about minimum approach distance requirements of the Electrical
Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Standard.
- Protection
of workers operating mechanical equipment near overhead power lines.
OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1999, December 7).
Provides clarification regarding an unqualified crane operator contractor, who is being
guided by a qualified journeyman electrician, working in close proximity to unguarded (7,620 to 500,000)
voltage.
- Minimum
approach distances. OSHA Standard Interpretation, (1996, February 2). Provides an interpretation of the
application of the minimum approach distances in
29 CFR 1910.269 and in
29 CFR 1910.333 of the electrical standard as
they apply to the service and maintenance of several 69 kilovolt (kV) air, disconnect switches.
- NIOSH
FACE Program. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment
and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Concentrates on investigations of fatal occupational injuries.
Cause of death and recommendations for accident prevention are usually given. The following worker
fatal injury facts were found in landscaping activities - electrical:
- For additional information, see OSHA's
Electrical Safety and Health Topics Page.
Heat and Cold Stress
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Protecting Workers in Hot Environments. OSHA Fact Sheet 95-16, (1995,
January).
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Protecting Yourself in the Sun. OSHA Publication 3166, (2000), 38 KB
PDF, 2 pages. A 42 KB
PDF (Spanish
version) is also available.
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Heat Stress. OSHA Quick Card (Publication 3267-09N), (2005). A 23 KB
PDF
(English version) and a 73 KB
PDF (Spanish
version) are also available.
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The Cold Stress Equation. OSHA Publication 3156, (1999).
A 22 KB
PDF
(English version) and a 22 KB
PDF (Spanish
version) are also available.
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Protecting Workers in Cold Environments. OSHA Fact Sheet 98-55, (1998,
December 22).
- NIOSH FACE Program. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Concentrates on investigations of fatal occupational injuries. Cause
of death and recommendations for accident prevention are usually given. The
following worker fatal injuries fact was found in landscaping activities - heat/cold:
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Outdoor Action Guide to Heat-Related Illnesses Fluid Balance. National Ag
Safety Database (NASD).
- For additional information, see OSHA's Heat
Stress Safety and Health Topics Page.
Lifting and Awkward Postures
- Safety Tips Fact Sheet No. 2: Reducing the Risk of
Lifting Injuries in the Landscape and Horticulture Industries. OSHA and
the Professional Landcare Network Alliance, 56 KB
PDF, 1 page. A
106 KB PDF (Spanish
version) is also available.
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Backs & Lifting Training Guide. Electronic Library of Construction Safety and Health (eLCOSH).
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How Much Am I Allowed to Lift? Electronic Library of Construction Safety
and Health (eLCOSH). Explains the factors in making a determination about how
much is too much when considering lifting.
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National
Ag Safety Database (NASD). Serves as a central repository for safety and health information on such topics as
back safety/lifting, electrical safety, chemicals/pesticides, and personal protective equipment. Included are tailgate
training materials, videos, and Spanish-language safety and health materials.
- Guidelines for lifts involving trunk-twisting angle of +/- 30 degrees. Ohio
Bureau of Workers' Compensation, 67 KB
PDF,
3 pages. Presents diagrams showing postures and weights that are likely to constitute an over exertion situation.
- Reduce your risk of back injury - let your equipment do the
work. Workers'
Compensation Board of British Columbia, 1 KB
PDF,
1 page.
- For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics
Safety and Health Topics Page.
Pesticides and Chemicals
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Pesticide Illness & Injury Surveillance. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (2001, December).
Protects workers by determining the underlying causes of over-exposure to
pesticides in the workplace. Surveillance also serves as an early warning
system of any harmful effects not detected by manufacturer testing of
pesticides.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Safety Tips Sheet No. 1: Slip and Trip Injuries. OSHA and the Professional Landcare Network Alliance, 60 KB
PDF, 1 page. A 98 KB
PDF (Spanish
version) is also available.
- National
Ag Safety Database (NASD). Serves as a central repository for safety and health information on such topics
as back safety/lifting, electrical safety, chemicals/pesticides, and personal protective equipment. Included are
tailgate training materials, videos, and Spanish-language safety and health materials.
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Construction. OSHA eTool. Provides information on portable
ladder safety for construction workers.
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Preventing Falls and Electrocutions During Tree Trimming. US Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-106 (Alert), (1992, August). Provides recommendations
for prevention of falls and electrocutions following the description of eight
incidents including five electrocutions and three fatal falls of tree
trimmers.
- NIOSH FACE Program. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program.
Concentrates on investigations of fatal occupational injuries. Cause
of death and recommendations for accident prevention are usually given. The
following worker fatal injury facts were found in landscaping activities,
slips/trips/falls:
- Tree
Trimmer Dies After Falling 60 feet from a Tree. New Jersey FACE Investigation
#93-NJ-093-01, (1993, October 15).
- Tree
Trimmer Electrocuted by a High Voltage Line in California. California FACE
Investigation #93CA00601, (1994, April 5).
- Office
Assistant at Sod Farm Dies When Forklift Slides into Ditch and She is Pinned
in. Wisconsin FACE Investigation #95WI062, (1995, August 11).
- Worker Falls
25 Feet to His Death From an Extension Ladder in New Jersey. New Jersey
FACE Investigation #NJ9012, (1991, February 26).
- Skid-Steer
Loader Operator Dies After Backing Loader Off Six-Foot Retaining Wall.
Missouri FACE Investigation #96MO082, (1996, September 20).
- Tree
Trimmer Killed When a Branch to Which He Was Tied Broke And His Lifeline
Failed. New Jersey FACE Investigation #96 NJ 074-01, (1997, March 27).
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Tree Trimmer/Climber Dies After Falling 40 Feet With an Uprooted Tree
Trunk--Virginia. Virginia FACE Investigation #9615, (1996, July).
- Tree
Trimmer Dies After Falling With a Fractured Tree. New Jersey FACE Investigation
#95-NJ-016-01, (1995, July 17).
- Tree Trimmer Dies After Falling 60 Feet From A Tree. New Jersey FACE Investigation
#93-NJ-093-01, (1994, December 23).
- For additional information, see OSHA's
Walking/Working
Surfaces Safety and Health Topics Page.
Soil Preparation and Grading: Soil preparation
is the process of preparing the existing soil material by loosening the sub-grade and mixing in soil
conditioners such as topsoil, humus and fertilizer to a quality needed for planting and/or landscaping.
Grading is the process of moving soil to the desired elevations and/or designed
contours.
Primary hazards include:
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Solutions:
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- Train and certify operators.
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- Slips and trips - uneven terrain
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- Wear boots with traction soles.
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- Vehicle Accidents Hauling Equipment
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- Train and certify drivers.
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- Stay clear of tiller blades.
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Irrigation: The process of installing
and maintaining irrigation lines has specific exposures resulting in injuries such as exposure to hazardous
materials (e.g., glues, cleaners) and exposure to excavations and trenches.
Primary hazards include:
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Solutions: |
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- Stay clear of trencher blades/Inspect equipment.
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- Call for utility locates.
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Hardscape Construction:
The construction of retaining walls, hard surface patios, decks and walkways, water features, wood
construction, etc. Injuries result from saw operation, lifting, slips and trips, power equipment noise.
Primary hazards include:
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Solutions: |
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- Saw training/Ensure equipment safeguards are in place and functional.
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- Get help lifting/Lift safely/Stretching.
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- Follow SOP's/Wear personal protective equipment.
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Planting - Trees,
Shrubs, Lawn: This activity includes such tasks as planting trees, shrubs, and lawn, tree staking,
work area housekeeping, and providing safe transport for crew to and from the job site.
Primary hazards include:
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Solutions: |
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- Get help lifting/Lift safely/Stretch.
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- Drink enough water/Pay attention to body signals/Rest breaks/Work
and rest in shade when possible.
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- Wear gloves/Inspect tools and equipment before use.
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- Train and certify drivers.
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Lawn and Landscape Maintenance:
This activity includes such tasks as mowing, pruning, fertilizing, general clean-up, blowing, and providing safe
transport for crew to and from the job site.
Primary hazards include:
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Solutions: |
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- Keep clear of rotating mower and brush-cutting blades.
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- Read and obey Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) form information/Implement effective hazard communication program that includes employee training.
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- Wear protective goggles when using blowers.
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- Wear ear protection when using power equipment.
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- Maintain comfortable mower settings/Use safe-lifting techniques.
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Tree Care: Tree care companies provide services
such as pruning, chipping and removal, plant health care, cabling, bracing, transplanting, consulting, fertilization
and lightning protection. Many hazards in the tree care industry are potentially fatal. Exposure to overhead power
lines, falling branches and tools, and faulty safety equipment are just a few of the dangers.
Primary hazards include:
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Solutions: |
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- Use PPE (eg, hard hat)/know drop zone.
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- Train safe chainsaw use and wear chaps.
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- Wear ear protection for chipping/chainsaw.
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- Comply with the 10-foot power line clearance rule (10 feet + 4 inches for every 10kV over 50 kV).
Note: Other Minimum Approach Distances (MADs) may be applicable for trained employees
as provided by 29
CFR 1910.269.
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- Use property tree tie-in.
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General References
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Target Industry Profiles. OSHA. Horticulture and landscape is one of the
seven industries selected as part of the strategic management plan.
- Profile: Landscape and Horticultural Services.
Also available as a 1 MB
PDF,
11 pages. Provides
information for SIC Code 078 - Landscaping and Horticultural Services,
including Bureau of Labor Statistics, top 10 cited standards, and potential industry hazards.
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