Landscaping workers use power tools and handle pesticides and herbicides as part of their job duties. They are at risk of being injured on the job. First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers are 18th on the list of the 25 most dangerous jobs in America. Any job that exposes workers to risks that can cause harm, damage, or injury is a dangerous job.
Over 1.3 million people throughout the United States are employed in occupations that fall in a general category called Grounds Maintenance Workers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes the following occupations in this category:
- Landscaping workers
- Groundskeeping workers
- Greenskeepers
- Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators
- Tree trimmers and pruners
If you have been injured while employed as a groundskeeper or landscaper in South Carolina, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. A workers’ comp claim may allow you to receive fully paid medical care and partial replacement of lost wages. However, you need to select a doctor from a list provided by your employer or their workers’ compensation insurance representative.
If you are unable to work for more than seven days, you may receive a weekly check for a portion of your lost wages calculated based on your earnings during the four quarters prior to your injury.
Depending on the extent of your injury, you may be able to receive long-term disability benefits for up to 500 weeks. Payment for vocational retraining and other expenses that you experienced as a result of your work-related injury are possible.
If your injury was caused by someone other than your employer, you may have a right to file a personal injury claim and seek damages. The attorneys at the South Carolina Joye Law firm have over 250 years of combined litigation experience. Our personal injury attorneys will work hard to get you the compensation and benefits that you are entitled to receive.
Landscaping Industry Risks
Ground maintenance workers are responsible for keeping outdoor areas surrounding homes, businesses, parks, golf courses, and cemeteries attractive. Their work takes place outdoors in all sorts of weather. Some landscaping workers also work indoors caring for gardens and plants at commercial facilities such as office and apartment buildings, hotels, and malls.
Tasks performed by landscaping workers are physically demanding, and often require the use of dangerous and hazardous materials and equipment. For example, hazardous substances can include chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides. Dangerous equipment includes powered and non-powered hand tools and motorized equipment such as lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, and stump grinders. Truck-mounted lifts used for tree-trimming and backhoes used for grave digging are common machinery used by landscape workers.
At-risk situations for landscaping workers include transportation-related injuries because workers often need to travel between job sites. Once on the job site, landscaping workers are at risk of injury from contact with objects or equipment. Consider the risks associated with two kinds of equipment–mowers and snow throwers. Using walk-behind rotary mowers can result in severe injuries to and even amputation of fingers, hands, feet, and toes if contact with the mower blades occurs. Similar hazards exist for snow throwers due to rotating auger blades.
Loss of stability is a hazard associated with riding mowers. There is a risk that the mowers can overturn and run over or crush riders. During 2008-2010, about 90 fatal accidents per year involved riding mower tip-overs.
Landscaping workers also are at risk of injury from:
- Electrocution – caused by digging near electrical wires or trimming trees near power lines
- Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, fainting and dizziness caused by heat, heat rash
- Cold-related illnesses, such as hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, and chilblains
- Lifting and awkward postures
- Noise – chronic noise exposure can lead to ringing in the ears and/or hearing loss
- Pesticides and chemicals
- Slips, trips, and falls
