Machine Guarding – Landscaping Fatality File

Fatal Incident Due to Inadequate Machine Guarding in Landscaping

On March 15, 2023, a fatal accident occurred at a landscaping company in Seattle, Washington, resulting in the death of a 34-year-old worker, Emily Thompson. Thompson was operating a commercial lawnmower when her hand came into contact with the rotating blades, causing severe injuries. The investigation revealed that the mower’s safety guards were either missing or improperly installed, allowing access to the dangerous parts of the machine.

Despite the immediate efforts of her coworkers and emergency medical services, Thompson succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The incident was traced back to the company’s failure to maintain and inspect the equipment regularly. It was found that safety guards had been removed for maintenance and were never reinstalled, leading to this preventable tragedy.

In response to the incident, the landscaping company has implemented stricter safety protocols, including regular inspections and maintenance of all equipment, mandatory training on machine guarding for all employees, and the immediate installation of appropriate guards on all machinery. The company has also established a zero-tolerance policy for operating equipment without the necessary safety features.