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As with any industry, safety is a critical element of landscaping and lawn care companies. With the ever-changing seasons and unpredictable weather, safety is a 12-month endeavor for landscape professionals. The best way to set yourself apart from the competition is to implement solid safety practices. First, this helps the company be more profitable, and secondly, it makes your company a place where employees want to work!
Operating a safe workplace for landscape companies can be a challenge. Most landscape operations are small businesses dealing with high employee turnover, and running on a seasonal schedule does not make it any easier. With the unpredictability involved, safety and training can fall by the wayside. In fact, letting safety slip away during the busier months is one of the biggest mistakes landscape companies can make.
Job tasks change seasonally for a landscaper, but exposure to power tools, insects, and the elements is a yearlong undertaking. This requires proper personal protective equipment (PPE) always be worn on the job. Long sleeve shirts and long pants will help protect against scratches, cuts, the sun, and any critters encountered during job tasks. Also, clothing with high visibility increases your chances of being seen in traffic, parking lots, and by other employees. Lastly, layers of clothing help protect you against heat and cold exposure as seasons and conditions change.
Landscape employees are also exposed to various equipment, from lawnmowers, weed eaters, edgers, hedge trimmers, and the list goes on.
- Employees should read the entire operator’s manual before operating any equipment.
- Workers should also be trained on how to handle any equipment properly and safely.
- All hazards associated with a particular piece of equipment should be thoroughly examined and reviewed before use.
- Supervisors should observe the employee in training using the equipment properly before allowing them to operate it alone.
The company can also implement some extra safety measures, as well. A standard policy for professional landscape companies is to practice monthly safety meetings and weekly "toolbox" talks. The monthly safety meetings would cover more prominent topics such as driver safety, heat stress, cold stress, and general safety practices. The weekly toolbox talks would cover the tasks for the week, what equipment will be used, and how to complete the tasks safely and efficiently.
There are many more hazards associated with the landscaping field so building a safety program is of paramount importance for any company. Remember, a safe workplace attracts quality employees and helps to improve the bottom line. A health and safety training program should always be an integral component of any landscaping company.
If you have any questions about Landscape Safety or help implementing a safety program, please contact one of our loss control representatives:
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