Riding Lawn Mowers – Landscaping Fatality File

Fatal Riding Lawn Mower Accident in Landscaping

On June 22, 2023, a fatal accident involving a riding lawn mower occurred in a suburban neighborhood in Austin, Texas, resulting in the death of a 58-year-old landscaping worker, Mark Johnson. Johnson was operating a gas-powered riding lawn mower to maintain a large residential lawn when the incident happened.

According to the investigation, Johnson was mowing on a slope when the riding mower tipped over, causing him to be thrown from the machine. He sustained severe head injuries upon impact with the ground, as the mower rolled over him. Despite the prompt arrival of emergency services, Johnson succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The investigation identified several contributing factors, including the challenging terrain, lack of a rollover protective structure (ROPS) on the mower, and inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Following this incident, the landscaping company has implemented stricter safety protocols, including the use of mowers equipped with ROPS, comprehensive training for employees on operating mowers on slopes, and mandatory PPE usage.