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Reduce injuries & fatalities
1 Sep, 2004 By: Barbara McCabe Landscape ManagementThorough safety programs can help landscape companies avoid OSHA-related litigation
A 60-year-old worker who's trimming shrubs in a median strip returns to the company truck parked in the road. While behind the truck, he's struck and killed by a vehicle. The worker is not wearing a high visibility vest, and the high visibility traffic cones have been removed from behind the truck.
 Traffic cones can alert passing motorists to your work site, but workers should still take care. |
A 51-year-old employee who's trimming branches in a tree without a properly secured lifeline falls 40 feet to his death due to a lack of fall protection.
And a 26-year-old worker who's replacing an ornamental tree with a truck crane receives a severe electrical shock after the tree is lifted directly over live power lines and the crane is energized. The worker dies less than a month later.
 OSHA resources |
These are just a few of the many fatalities that have occurred in landscaping, commercial lawn care, and ornamental shrub and tree services over the past three years. In eight southern states alone, OSHA reports that fatalities in landscaping and closely related industries rose from 19 in fiscal 2002 to 28 in fiscal 2003.
These fatalities — which include drownings, electrocutions, falls, and being struck by trees, vehicles or equipment — are just part of the reason why OSHA is paying close attention to the landscaping and horticultural services industries nationwide.
Eye on landscaping
"OSHA has made no secret of the fact that it is targeting landscaping/horticultural services as a high hazard industry, and is expecting a 4% reduction in injuries and illnesses this year," says attorney Chris Robinson of Fisher & Phillips LLP in Fort Lauderdale, FL. "Any landscape contractor or commercial lawn care employer who doesn't have a written and enforced safety program that includes ongoing training and regular hazard inspections is setting up that company for potentially costly OSHA-related litigation."
 Use proper procedures when loading and unloading equipment. |
Nationwide, OSHA reviewed injury and illness data for the year 2000 from all industries, and determined that landscaping/horticultural services was among the seven industries the federal agency would specifically target. OSHA's 2003-2008 Strategic Management Plan calls for a 15% reduction in workplace fatalities and a 20% reduction in workplace injuries and illnesses (for all industries).
"We want the landscape industry to reduce its illnesses, injuries and fatalities," Rich Fairfax, Director of OSHA Enforcement Programs, Washington, DC, told Landscape Management. "This does not mean we're going to be running out there doing inspections. We have instructed each of our regional offices to determine the best way to handle it."
Robinson, whose firm represents employers in numerous OSHA-related disputes, says it's important that employers heed OSHA's warning for more than one reason. "Not only are the landscaping and commercial lawn care industries being targeted for reductions in injuries and illnesses, but OSHA is also continuing to place a strong emphasis on the safety of the Hispanic workers who are prevalent in these industries."
 GIC features special OSHA course |
OSHA seeks help
If you're in the South, you may be one of more than 3,400 landscape/horticultural services employers who recently received a letter in English and Spanish from your OSHA area office. The letter, which cites examples of fatalities over the past three years, lists additional workplace hazards "employees may be exposed to in your industry," including lightning; noise; lack of protective gear for the eyes, head and face; moving parts of machinery and equipment; and lack of high visibility vests when exposed to traffic. The letter also includes a Landscaping Hazard Alert flyer with photos of various hazards.
"We are asking these employers to help us," says Teresa Harrison, OSHA's Deputy Administrator for the Southeast. "Some of these (hazards) are easily avoidable. If we keep seeing an increase in fatalities, we might have to do a local 'special emphasis' inspection program. But hopefully, they will contact us or their state OSHA Consultation Program on what they can do to keep their workplaces safe."
This past February, the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) formally aligned with OSHA in an effort to improve safety among its members. "ALCA is setting up a task force to work with OSHA and get a plan established to deliver safety programming in both Spanish and English," ALCA Board of Directors President Kurt Kluznik said. "There is no enforcement component to this. This is a safe way for an industry to work with OSHA on training and education, outreach and promoting a dialogue with the agency."
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