Working Safely in Shrub, Lawn, and Garden Services Stats and Facts

FACTS

  1. Traffic & Vehicle Exposure: Landscapers often load/unload materials roadside or in driveways, increasing the risk of struck-by incidents from passing vehicles—high-visibility clothing, cones, and signage are essential.
  2. Equipment & Machinery Hazards: Workers use mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and chipper machines that pose cut, entanglement, and struck-by dangers, mandating cut-resistant gloves, eye protection, and machine guards.
  3. Slip, Trip & Fall Hazards: Traversing uneven ground, wet grass, hoses, and debris leads to falls; proper footwear and housekeeping help mitigate this risk.
  4. Heat & Cold Exposure: Outdoor work exposes crews to extreme temperature heat stress and hypothermia risks require weather-appropriate PPE, hydration, and rest breaks.
  5. Chemical & Pesticide Exposure: Fertilizer, pesticides, and herbicides can irritate skin or lungs—gloves, chemical-resistant clothing, goggles, and respirators are needed.
  6. Manual Materials Handling: Frequent lifting of soil bags, plants, and equipment can cause sprains and musculoskeletal injury—ergonomic training, lifting aids, and gloves mitigate the impact.

STATS

  • In 2024, OSHA recorded 5,190 workplace fatalities, with landscaping services reporting ~100 cases (2%). Falls from trees or ladders (40%) and struck-by incidents (20%) were leading causes, emphasizing the need for fall protection and HVSA.
  • In 2024, PPE violations (29 CFR 1910.132) ranked 6th in construction and related industries (1,876 citations), including inadequate HVSA or gloves for landscapers. Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1926.1153) violations for dust or chemical exposure ranked 5th (2,500 citations).
  • A 2022 NIOSH study found that 30% of landscaping workers exposed to pesticides lacked proper chemical-resistant gloves or respirators, increasing risks of skin irritation or respiratory issues.
  • WorkSafeBC reported 25–30 annual construction-related fatalities in British Columbia (2020–2023), with landscaping workers at risk from falls (35%) and struck-by incidents (15%) during tree trimming or equipment use. Hard hats and HVSA are critical.
  • CCOHS 2023 data showed that workplaces enforcing chemical-resistant gloves, respirators, and HVSA reduced landscaping injuries by 20%, particularly for tasks like pesticide spraying or roadside mowing.
  • In 2024, Ontario introduced fines up to $500,000 for repeat OHS violations, including PPE non-compliance, impacting landscaping firms failing to provide proper safety gear.