Understanding the Workplace Risks Faced By Landscapers

Landscapers provide a unique contribution to our society by helping to make our community a more beautiful place. However, the beauty these workers contribute to our world does not help keep them safe and unfortunately, landscaping is one of the highest hazard industries in the service sector.

For example, the South Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that a landscape worker was jolted and seriously hurt when lightning struck nearby in a recent workplace accident. The worker was in cardiac arrest when he was taken to the hospital after being injured while hurt went to retrieve a shovel in the rain.

What Are Landscapers and What Do They Do?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscapers and ground workers maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Almost one million American workers are employed in this industry and regularly perform a variety of tasks such as:

• Sod laying
• Mowing
• Trimming
• Planting
• Watering
• Fertilizing
• Digging
• Raking
• Sprinkler installation

How Often Are Landscapers Injured at the Workplace?

Unfortunately, landscape workers have many opportunities to hurt themselves on the job. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 200 landscape service workers die each year as a result of workplace injuries.

What Are Landscaping Industry Risks?

Sadly, the installation and maintenance of lawns, shrubs, and plants means that there are many causes of injuries and fatalities in the landscaping industry. These risks include factors such as:

• Transportation-related injuries – Landscape workers often need to travel to different locations and unfortunately, injuries can happen when traveling to different work areas and work sites and transporting tools and machinery.
• Impact injuries – These injuries can occur when landscape workers are struck by or become caught in or crushed by objects or equipment. A worker can also become impacted while using machinery to clear areas, sawing, trimming bushes, mowing or digging.
• Workplace falls – Unfortunately, falls are another common risk faced by landscapers. Falls occur when workers tumble out of trees, fall off ladders or fall into holes. Falls can also occur on the ground when a worker trips over a discarded piece of equipment or part of the landscape.
• Weather and temperature-related injuries – Inclement weather can also cause many problems, including fatalities related to heatstroke. Additionally, as is outlined in the example above recently spotlighted in the news, unpredictable weather can lead to unpredictable workplace injuries.

Allow Us to Help.

If you or a loved one is injured in a landscaping accident, you are likely dealing with several unexpected implications such as lost wages, medical bills, and expensive prescriptions. Additionally, a workplace injury or illness can have a major impact on the family of an injured employee. Fortunately, groundskeepers and landscapers who are injured at work during the scope of employment have every right to seek workers’ compensation benefits. As the Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates, we can analyze the facts of your case and work with your employer’s insurance carrier to ensure you receive the full value of your claim. Contact us today to begin.

Resource:

sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/pembroke-pines/fl-ne-pines-landscaper-lightning-20190613-ekhcjbympzcfhikt7i3a4cmxve-story.html

https://www.payerandassociates.com/tree-service-workers-and-workers-compensation-benefits/