Safety & Tools

Why do we care about safety? Average of 197 landscapers died

from on-the- job injuries annually (2003-2006) o Most of these fatalities were transportation related

Considered a high-risk industry

Landscapers make up 0.8% of US workforce, make up 3.5% of total occupational fatalities

Most, if not all occupational fatalities are preventable with the appropriate training and PPE

Activity Fatalities Using/Operating Tools or Machinery 355 (during trimming or removing trees) 288 Vehicle or Transportation Operations 241 Constructing, Repairing, Cleaning 103 Physical Activity, n.e.c. 46 Other Activities 44

The Grimm Truth:

Landscaping can be dangerous Landscaper Crushed Between Backhoe and Truck. New Jersey FACE Report #02-

NJ-025, (December 3, 2002).

Grader Operator Run Over by Rear Tire While Jumpstarting Grader. Michigan FACE Report #01MI056.

Landscaper Died of Injuries when He was Catapulted from the Operator's Seat of a Truck-mounted Boom. Colorado FACE Report #96CO080.

Landscaper Dies when Struck by Front End Loader in Massachusetts. Massachusetts FACE Report #96-MA-016-01, (August 29, 1997).

Landscape Laborer Dies When the Tractor He is Driving Overturns. Colorado FACE Report #95CO094.

Landscape Laborer Dies after Being Struck By the Bucket of a Case Skid Steer Loader. Minnesota FACE Report #MN9209, (September 15, 1992).

Fourteen-Year-Old Youth Pulled Into Operating Wood Chipper - Florida. NIOSH In-house FACE Report #2000-21.

Tree Trimmer Dies When Pulled into in a Brush Chipper. California FACE Report #00CA010.

Laborer caught in chipper/shredder machine--Maryland. Maryland FACE Report #94MD058.

Groundsman Killed by Falling Tree Section During Tree Trimming Work in New Jersey. New Jersey FACE Report #00-NJ-087-01, (May 23, 2001).

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/nj/02nj025.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/nj/02nj025.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/mi/01mi056.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/co/96co080.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/co/96co080.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/co/96co080.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/co/96co080.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/ma/96ma016.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/co/95co094.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/mn/92mn009.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/mn/92mn009.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full200021.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/ca/00ca010.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/md/94md058.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/md/94md058.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/md/94md058.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/nj/00nj087.html

Arizona Statics

In 2013-2014, 6 Landscape professionals lost their lives on the

job.

This is 6 too many.

Outdoor Hazards

Physical Hazards Biological Hazards

Extreme temperatures

Extreme sun exposure

Noise

Poisonous plants

Poisonous insects and

spiders (bee attacks)

Snakes

Other wildlife (bobcats)

Vector-borne diseases

Other Hazards

Equipment accidents

Slips & trips

Vehicular accidents

Cuts & amputations

Hearing loss

Electrocution

Chemical exposure

Lifting injuries

Struck by

Heat stress

Cuts & hand injuries

Eye injuries

Skin damage

Soil Preparation & Grading

Potential hazards: Equipment accidents

Slips & trips on uneven terrain

Vehicular accidents

Cut & amputations

Hearing loss

So how can you protect yourself from these on the job hazards?

Soil Preparation & Grading

Provide training for all operators and drivers

Wear boots with traction soles Wear ear protection

Stay clear of tiller blades

What do you see here? Any room for improvement?

Excellent use of safety equipment!

Irrigation Hazards

Potential Hazards:

Glue and primer

hazards

Amputation

Electrocution

So how can you protect yourself from these on the job hazards?

Irrigation Hazards

Stay clear of trencher blades/Inspect equipment

Call for utility locates

Slips & Trips

Hardscape Construction

So how can you protect yourself from these on the job hazards?

Lifting-related injuries

Hearing loss Slips & trips Struck by

Cuts & amputations

Hardscape Construction

Follow SOP's/Wear personal protective equipment

Keep job site clean.

Call for utility locates

Use protective systems/Train.

Saw training, safeguards are in

place and functional.

Planting Hazards

So how can you protect yourself from these on the job hazards?

Lifting-related injuries

Heat stress

Vehicle accidents

Cuts and hand injuries

Slips, trips and falls

Planting Hazards

Get help lifting/ Lift safely/Stretch

Drink enough water/Pay attention to body signals Rest breaks

Wear gloves/Inspect tools and equipment before use. Keep job site clean

Train and certify drivers

So how can you protect yourself from these on the job hazards?

Vehicle accidents

Falls

Bees & other critters

Eye injury Hearing loss Ergonomics

Chemical exposure

Cuts, amputations,

hand injuries

Landscape Maintenance

Hazards

Landscape Maintenance

Hazards

Keep clear of rotating mower & brush-cutting blades

Read and obey pesticide label & SDS

Wear PPE when using power equipment

Train drivers

Frequent breaks in the shade and hydration is key when working in the heat.

Tree Care Hazards Primary hazards:

Struck by

Cuts and

amputations

Eye & ear damage

Electrocution

Slips, trips and falls

Tree Care Hazards

Use PPE (eg, hard hat)/know drop zone

Train safe chainsaw use and wear chaps

Comply with the 10-foot power line clearance rule

Use proper tree tie-in Wear safety goggles

Chainsaw Safety Video Pay close attention, questions will be on the exam!!!

The next slides will be a review of the video

Mower Safety

Conduct a pre-mowing inspection of the lawn

and remove any debris, rocks, limbs, or other items

that could become a projectile. Look for

concealed hazards such as holes.

Keep hands and feet away from moving blades.

Fill the tank with gas before beginning work. (By

filling the tank initially, you can avoid having to fill

the tank later when it is hot.)

Mower Safety

Replace loud or faulty mufflers

Shut off the engine before unclogging, servicing, or

adjusting the mower and before removing the grass

bag. For added protection, remove the ignition wire

before working on the machine.

Inspect mower to verify all guards and safety

devices are in place and operating properly

Mower Hazards Riding Lawn Mowers

Before starting the engine, make sure the transmission is out of gear and the mower blade clutch is disengaged.

If you hit a large rock or stump, stop the mower and inspect the blades and shaft. Replace damaged blades.

Never leave a running lawn mower unattended. Before leaving the seat, park the mower on a flat area, disengage the mower blades, and remove the ignition key.

Riding Mower Safety

Never allow extra riders on the lawn mower.

Slow down when turning and when working on slopes. Mow up and down slopes rather than across them.

Always look behind you before backing.

Mower Hazards

Walk behind mowers

Wear sturdy shoes with good

traction. Never wear open-toed

shoes around walk-behind mowers.

Do not bypass the safety device

that stops the blade when the

operator releases his/her grip on the

handle.

Mow across slopes rather than up and down slopes (although it

depends on your mower and slope grade).

Work slowly and patiently when mowing tall grass or tough weeds.

Forcing the mower may cause repeated clogs and engine stalls.

Never leave a running mower unattended. If you stop momentarily, cut

the throttle to idle and make sure the mower will not roll away.

28

Store Fuel Properly!

Danger

Trimmer Safety Video Pay close attention, questions will be on the exam!!!

The next slides will be a review of the video

Power Tool Safety Never carry a tool by the cord or hose

Never yank the cord or the hose to disconnect it from the receptacle

Keep cords and hoses away from heat, oil, and sharp edges

Disconnect tools when not using them, before servicing and cleaning them, an