McCraren Compliance

OSHA urges landscaping industry employers to stay focused on protecting employees from hazards as demands increase

Original article published by OSHA

More than 1K people suffered fatal workplace injuries from 2011-2021

WASHINGTON – The familiar sounds of weed trimmers and lawn mowers and the sights of landscaping workers are familiar sights in many neighborhoods, office parks and other locations. For people doing these jobs, including young people employed for the summer, the work exposes them to hazards such as moving machine parts, heat exposure, falling trees and toxic chemicals.

From 2011-2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 1,072 work-related fatalities occurred in the landscaping and groundskeeping industry. In 2021, 142 industry workers suffered fatal workplace injuries.

While workers struck by vehicles is typically the industry’s leading cause of fatal injuries, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns of other hazards that can potentially lead landscaping and groundskeeping workers to suffer serious or fatal injuries.

“Landscaping can be dangerous when workers lack experience and appropriate training in a language they understand,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “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.”

Hazards that landscapers commonly face include:

The department advises landscaping employers who hire young people for summer jobs to be aware of federal law that restricts employees under age 17 from working in hazardous occupations.

Learn more about how to operate riding mowers safely and OSHA’s annual heat safety campaign.


McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

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