Cuts and Amputations

• Small Business Safety and Health Handbook. OSHA Publication 2209, (2024) [Español OSHA Publication 4261, (2024)]. Summarizes the benefits of an effective safety and health program, provides self-inspection checklists for employers to identify workplace hazards, and reviews key workplace safety and health resources for small businesses.
• Hand and Power Tools. OSHA Publication 3080, (Revised 2002). Includes information on the dangers of hand and power tools and safety precautions.
• Protect Yourself - Amputations. OSHA QuickCard™ (Publication 3204), (2015). Discusses amputations and the best way to prevent them.
• Hand Tools Training Guide. Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health (elcosh). Taken from the "Tailgate Meetings that Work: A Guide to Effective Construction Safety Training" series.
• Bright Idea #6 Trailer Lift. Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & 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.
• Hazards of Operating Unguarded Stone Cutters and Splitters in Landscaping and Other Worksites. OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin, (January 2013).
• Using Small Equipment Safely in Landscaping Card. National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) (formerly Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)), (November 2008, Updated March 2009). Describes general safety tips to help prevent injuries to those working with small equipment in landscaping. Also available in Spanish.
• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 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 Report #02-NJ-025, (December 3, 2002).
  • Grader Operator Run Over by Rear Tire While Jumpstarting Grader. Michigan FACE Report #01MI056.
  • Landscaper Died of Injuries when He was Catapulted from the Operator's Seat of a Truck-mounted Boom. Colorado FACE Report #96CO080.
  • Landscaper Dies when Struck by Front End Loader in Massachusetts. Massachusetts FACE Report #96-MA-016-01, (August 29, 1997).
  • Landscape Laborer Dies When the Tractor He is Driving Overturns. Colorado FACE Report #95CO094.
  • Landscape Laborer Dies after Being Struck By the Bucket of a Case Skid Steer Loader. Minnesota FACE Report #MN9209, (September 15, 1992).
  • Fourteen-Year-Old Youth Pulled Into Operating Wood Chipper - Florida. NIOSH In-house FACE Report #2000-21.
  • Tree Trimmer Dies When Pulled into in a Brush Chipper. California FACE Report #00CA010.
  • Laborer caught in chipper/shredder machine--Maryland. Maryland FACE Report #94MD058.
  • Groundsman Killed by Falling Tree Section During Tree Trimming Work in New Jersey. New Jersey FACE Report #00-NJ-087-01, (May 23, 2001).
• 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 Letter of Interpretation, (September 26, 2002). 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 Letter of Interpretation, (February 10, 2000). 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 Letter of Interpretation, (December 7, 1999). 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 Letter of Interpretation, (February 26, 1996). 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.
• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 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:
  • Landscaper Electrocuted and Two Workers Seriously Injured When A Felled Tree Landed on an Overhead Power Line. New Jersey FACE Report #01-NJ-117, (October 1, 2002).
  • Massachusetts Arborist Electrocuted On Contact With 13,800 Volt Public Utility Power Line. Massachusetts FACE Report #94-MA-003.
  • Tree Trimmer Electrocuted After Contacting an Overhead Power Line. New Jersey FACE Report #96NJ01001, (August 7, 1996).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Electrical Safety and Health Topics Page.

Heat and Cold Stress

• Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3743), (September 2023).
• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 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:
  • Landscape Mowing Assistant Dies from Heat Stroke. Michigan FACE Report #02-MI-75-01.
• Heat-Related Illnesses & Fluid Balance, Outdoor Action Guide. National Ag Safety Database (NASD).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Occupational Heat Exposure Safety and Health Topics Page.

Lifting and Awkward Postures

• Backs & Lifting Training Guide. Electronic Library of Construction Safety & Health (elcosh).
• How Much Am I Allowed to Lift? Electronic Library of Construction Safety & Health (elcosh). Explains the factors in making a determination about how much is too much when considering lifting.
• 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.
  • Knowing Your Limits Prevents Manual Labor Injuries
  • Back Injury Prevention: Script
• Guidelines for lifts involving trunk-twisting angle of +/- 30 degrees. Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Presents diagrams showing postures and weights that are likely to constitute an over exertion situation.
• For additional information, see OSHA's Ergonomics Safety and Health Topics Page.

Pesticides and Chemicals

• Pesticide Illness & Injury Surveillance. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topic. 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. National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) (formerly Professional Landcare Network (PLANET)), (June 2006). Describes the possible causes of slip and trip injuries in the landcare industry and how the injuries could be prevented. Also available in Spanish.
• 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.
  • Preventing Injuries from Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Preventing Slips and Trips: Script
  • Ladders, Lifting and Falls
  • Proper Use of Ladders
  • Purchase and Proper Use of Ladders
• Construction. OSHA eTool. Provides information on portable ladder safety for construction workers.
• Preventing Falls and Electrocutions During Tree Trimming. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-106, (August 1992). Provides recommendations for prevention of falls and electrocutions following the description of eight incidents including five electrocutions and three fatal falls of tree trimmers.
• Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 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 Report #93-NJ-093-01, (December 23, 1994).
  • Tree Trimmer Electrocuted by a High Voltage Line in California. California FACE Report #93CA00601, (April 5, 1994).
  • Office Assistant at Sod Farm Dies When Forklift Slides into Ditch and She is Pinned in. Wisconsin FACE Report #95WI062.
  • Worker Falls 25 Feet to His Death From an Extension Ladder in New Jersey. New Jersey FACE Report #NJ9012, (February 26, 1991).
  • Skid-Steer Loader Operator Dies After Backing Loader Off Six-Foot Retaining Wall. Missouri FACE Report #96MO082.
  • Tree Trimmer Killed When a Branch to Which He Was Tied Broke And His Lifeline Failed. New Jersey FACE Report #96 NJ 074-01, (March 27, 1997).
  • Tree Trimmer/Climber Dies After Falling 40 Feet With an Uprooted Tree Trunk--Virginia. Virginia FACE Report #9615.
  • Tree Trimmer Dies After Falling With a Fractured Tree. New Jersey FACE Report #95-NJ-016-01, (July 17, 1995).
  • Tree Trimmer Dies After Falling 60 Feet From A Tree. New Jersey FACE Report #93-NJ-093-01, (December 23, 1994).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.