9 Hazards Every Landscaping Business Owner Should Know

As a landscaping business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect your employees from hazards on the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,072 fatalities occurred among groundskeeping and landscaping workers from 2011 to 2021. The leading cause of death for these workers was being struck by a vehicle. Let’s take a look at the top hazards facing your workers and how they can start practicing landscaping safety today.

From traffic accidents that can occur while traveling to and from jobs to being struck by a distracted driver, vehicles are a constant threat to landscapers. Make sure your crew wears brightly colored safety clothing to help keep them visible on the job.

Make sure all equipment is powered off, has stopped running, and has cooled off before attempting to service equipment. Failure to do so can lead to cuts and even amputations.

Falling tree branches can seriously injure landscapers. In addition, when unruly branches that touch power lines come in contact with pruners, electrocution becomes a threat. Train your employees to recognize these hazards and always be aware of their surroundings.

Your landscaping employees are exposed to an alarming amount of chemicals, including herbicides, fuel, cleaning solvents, pesticides, and many more. The chemicals they come in contact with can cause explosions, skin irritations, chemical burns, and long-term illnesses. OSHA requires employers who use hazardous chemicals to train employees on safe handling and storage.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious medical conditions. It’s important that you and your employees recognize the symptoms of each condition. Heat exhaustion symptoms include light-headedness, nausea, muscle cramping, and dizziness—which can be treated by going into air conditioning, drinking fluids, and applying a cold compress. Heat stroke symptoms include headache, mental confusion, no visible perspiration, rapid heart rate, and a loss of consciousness. If signs of heat stroke are present, you must call 911 immediately.

Exposure to silica, dust, and other airborne contaminants can put your landscaping employees at risk for respiratory illnesses. Provide N95 respirators for your employees to protect their respiratory health on the job.

Depending on the task at hand, landscaping can require a breadth of PPE including hard hats, respirators, gloves, ear plugs/ear muffs, safety glasses, safety harnesses, durable workwear, HAZMAT suits, and more. Keep your employees safe by enforcing their use of PPE.

Working with machinery around bodies of water such as lakes or ponds can pose a significant threat to your employees. Some dangers to avoid are electrocution, entrapment from heavy equipment, and drowning.

Depending on which part of the U.S. your landscaping business is located, your crew could come in contact with bears, snakes, alligators, rabid rodents, and an array of stinging insects. Train your employees on how to stay safe when encountering threats specific to your geographical location.

Now that you know what to look out for, have you browsed Zoro’s landscaping category lately? We have everything your employees need for a job well done, including all the PPE to keep them safe. Find everything else you need for your business at everyday low prices at Zoro.

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.