Author, Megan Lockhart, Media Communications and Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

With summer in full swing and the autumn months close ahead, landscapers are at their busiest time of the year. During this time, landscape companies often increase their employee numbers with temporary hires to meet the seasonal demands. Due to this, employers are encouraged to be more cautious of the increased risk of injuries to their workers, particularly those who are young and less-experienced.

Landscaping and grounds keeping is undoubtedly a dangerous field of work. Potential hazards include chemicals, dangerous equipment, wildlife encounters, extreme heat, and electricity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1,072 work-related deaths were reported in the industry from 2011 to 2021, and 142 employees suffered fatal workplace injuries in 2021 alone.

Risk of injury to young people is particularly important this time of year. A study published by the CDC in 2021 analyzed 18,037 workers’ compensation claims in the landscaping services industry from 2001 to 2017. Of these claims, 50% of serious injuries were employees aged 34 and younger. The average age for landscape workers in the United States was 38.1 in 2011, indicating younger workers may be at greater risk to injury than older workers.

Considering younger employees are often hired to work temporary summer jobs and typically have less experience in the industry, employers should ensure young workers are properly trained and are in compliance with the federal child labor law that restricts employees under the age of 17 from being exposed to hazardous occupations.

Newly-hired employees also experience particularly high numbers of work-related injuries in the landscape industry, especially at smaller companies.

“The percentages of all serious injuries occurring during the first 90 days of job tenure ranged from 22% to 30%, with the smallest companies having the highest percentage of these short-tenure claims,” the CDC states in their landscape industry study. “The frequency of injuries to young and early-career workers suggests that better training and supervision of new workers could be crucial to worker safety.” 

Increased demand leads to increased risk with less-experienced, young, and temporary hires. As heat continues to soar in late summer and early fall, it is best to make sure your workers all have proper safety training that includes heat illness prevention, in order to prevent workers’ compensation claims.

“Landscaping can be dangerous when workers lack experience and appropriate training in a language they understand,” Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said, in an article published by the U.S. Department of Labor. “Too often, our inspectors find workers harmed in ways that their employers could have prevented by following federal and industry safety standards. We urge employers to implement strategies that involve their workers and protect everyone.”

The Federal OSHA website offers Health and Safety Programs applicable to the landscape industry, including an Injury and Illness Prevention Program for High Hazard Employees.

Rancho Mesa’s SafetyOne™ Mobile and Desktop application also contains a library of toolbox talks and online training applicable to landscape workers that can benefit companies during this time of the year. Clients can contact their client technology coordinator for more information.