“I had been out of work for about six months and could not wait to start my first day at my new job in the construction segment of landscaping. I arrived at the worksite ready to get at it. My supervisor took one look at my footwear and told me instead of heading to the work site, I needed to head off to my nearest store to purchase a pair of work boots. I informed him that the running shoes I was wearing were old anyway, so no problem if they got ruined. He asked me if it was no problem if I broke my foot because of a tree branch falling on it, or potentially stepping on a nail. I definitely got the message and had no intentions of being out of work again, so I arrived a few hours later with the proper protective footwear.”
There are many different services offered in the landscape and horticultural industry, including the architectural designing of the landscape. Landscaping work can involve preparing the soil and grading, installation services for irrigation, planting, and construction services, such as building and repairing retaining walls, laying pathways, and building patios. And let’s forget arborist services like clearing growth from overhead lines and tree trimming.
Each of these tasks poses its own potential risks and dangers that demand specific safety measures.
Safety Standards
Horticultural and landscaping services can be divided into two main categories: maintenance tasks and construction tasks. While both pose potential danger, the additional tools and equipment involved in the construction side of landscaping and horticulture create some serious safety concerns. Each aspect of the industry is regulated by OSHA standards: OSHA Standard Citations (29 CFR 1910) and Construction Industry Standards (29 CFR 1926).
Housekeeping on the Construction Site
Creating a safe working environment begins by ensuring a clean work area. This means making sure that no scrap lumber is lying around, especially any with nails sticking out. Anything combustible that is considered scrap material should be safely removed at regular intervals. Plan ahead and ensure that there are enough containers on hand to sort the various types of debris for removal from the worksite.
Easy Access to First Aid
It is up to the employer to make sure that a proper and up to date first aid kit is kept stocked and that its location is known by all workers at all times. Make sure that at least one worker who is formally trained in first aid is present in the case of an emergency. The first aid kit should be a weather proof container and its contents comprised of individually sealed packages (find out what it should contain in First Aid Kits: The Essential List).
Proper Hydration
Most commercial landscaping and horticultural work is done outdoors and often in hot weather. Dehydration can set in quickly in workers spending all day outdoors. It is important to have a good portable water supply on hand during the entire working hours. The water container should be tightly closed and equipped with a tap—no dipping containers should be used.
Protective Gear
Head Protection
Adequate head protection is essential if there are any activities or conditions on the worksite that involve heavy objects falling, such as branches falling during tree trimming. If work is taking place near power wires, a class A helmet will help protect against electrical shock from low voltage conductors.
Hearing Protection
This industry involves the use of various power tools. Workers, then, have to be protected against the high noise levels they are exposed to on the job. Ensure that all employees have hearing protection that provides sufficient protection for the decibel levels in their work environment.
Eye and Face Protection
In this industry, being struck in the face (by tree branches, for example) is always a real possibility. Proper eye and face protection, then, is essential. Impact resistant goggles, for instance, may be required to protect against flying wood chips.
Foot Protection
Given the risks of working with heavy objects, steel tools, and in an environment that may be littered with sharp objects, every employee should wear steel toed boots with good soles.
Hand Protection
Safety gloves provide protection against cuts and pinches, but PVA gloves might be a better choice for workers whose job tasks might involve exposure to toxic foliage or chemicals.
Respirator
If pesticides are being used, workers need to wear a half face respirator with the appropriate cartridges as dictated by the MSDS sheets.
It is up to the employer to ensure that all electrical equipment is in proper working order and safe for use. Particular care should be given to understanding how to safely use the equipment in outdoor environments.
For bigger jobs, heavy equipment is often left at the jobsite overnight. Ensure that it is left in a safe location and properly locked. The wheels should be blocked to prevent roll-away incidents (for more advice, see Top 10 Safety Tips for Heavy Equipment Operators).
Electrical Responsibilities
Some tree trimming jobs require working near high voltage wires and power sources. Only assign workers to these tasks if they have been properly trained for this type of work. If necessary, utility companies may need to be contacted to disrupt the power source and ensure the safety of the tree trimmers.
Protection from Falls
In the landscaping and horticultural business, working at heights is fairly typical. Whether this involves using a ladder, a cherrypicker, or fall protection equipment, take additional care to follow all regulations and safety guidelines for the equipment and do not exceed its load bearing capacities. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that everyone using this equipment is trained to do so safely.
Summary
Like any other industry, landscaping and horticulture has its fair share of hazards. These need to be understood and controlled. Ensuring that the various job tasks are undertaken in a safe manner should be every employer or manager’s highest priority.