Working World

Do you work in landscaping or groundskeeping? About 24,000 people do. Are you a first-line supervisor of a crew? Add another 110,000 workers. Whether you work on a large campus or tend to a varied route of private homes, be careful. Injuries and fatalities for this workforce rival the rates for mine and agriculture workers. Between 2003 and 2006 an average of 197 workers died each year; and while landscape service workers make up only 0.8 percent of the U.S. workforce, the category experienced 3.5 percent of total occupational fatalities.

Most incidents occur at decentralized job sites, such as private residences, where organizational support for safe practices falters. A whole range of activities come into play, including using tools and machinery during tree trimming, dangerous falls, being struck by falling objects — and electrocution. Oddly, May through September is the most hazardous time for transportation incidents; they alone represent 33 percent of all deaths.

The bulk of injuries are preventable, but safe practice requires the recognition of hazards, proper training, and the consistent use of protective gear. Daily inspection of the jobsite before beginning each session is vital. Particularly relevant to southern California is supervising workers for heat stress; rest breaks in the shade can be a safety net.

Training materials in English and Spanish are free and available from www.cdc.gov/niosh.