If you’re facing the daunting aftermath of a work-related injury in the landscaping sector, you don’t have to navigate these turbulent waters alone.
Working as a landscaper is engaging and exceptionally rewarding, especially if the trade is your passion. Nonetheless, it’s vital to remember that landscaping also presents substantial risks, with 25 deaths per every 100,000 workers, thus making it one of the most hazardous occupations in the country.
Fatalities aside, working as a landscaper also exposes you to various work-related injuries and illnesses. Let’s discuss some of the most prevalent workplace injuries in the landscaping industry.
Common Workplace Injuries
Hearing Damage
According to OSHA, employees can incur hearing loss when exposed to noise levels surpassing 85 decibels for eight hours or more. Noise above 95 decibels could impair your hearing in an hour or even less.
Regular operation of noisy equipment such as lawnmowers, weed whackers, and other similar devices can put you at risk of hearing damage. Other than hearing loss, you may also experience a permanent ring in your ear known as tinnitus. To prevent hearing damage, consider wearing ear muffs or plugs to block excess noise.
Fractures and Concussions
The nature of the landscaping profession often involves climbing high up on trees for trimming or higher areas for elevation measurements. Slipping from these high surfaces could lead to falls, potentially resulting in injuries.
Therefore, landscaping workers should wear shoes with a good grip when climbing ladders or other high areas. The use of a harness while climbing tall trees is also recommended when necessary. Protective gear, especially helmets, should be worn to safeguard against potential concussions following a high fall.
Amputations
Landscaping requires handling numerous tools and equipment with sharp and pointed edges. These tools include hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and clippers. Careless use of such equipment could result in amputation or the removal of body parts like fingers, toes, or even limbs.
Landscapers should exercise extreme caution while handling power tools with sharp edges. Following machine guarding and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures is highly recommended while using such equipment. Barriers could also be placed between the worker and the sharp edges of machines to prevent accidental amputation.
Puncture and Laceration Wounds
Landscapers are often at risk of accidentally puncturing or cutting themselves while on the job. Regular interactions with thorns, nails, and glass put them at risk of piercing or cutting injuries. The best way to prevent these injuries is by wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) during work.
Speak With a St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney
If you’re facing the daunting aftermath of a work-related injury in the landscaping sector, you don’t have to navigate these turbulent waters alone. Reach out to the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann. With over 30 years of experience handling thousands of cases, our team is prepared to provide the comprehensive support and aggressive representation you need.
As St. Louis workers’ compensation attorneys, we are intimately familiar with the challenges you may be facing. We understand the complex landscape of workers’ compensation claims and are here to help you secure the benefits injured Missouri workers are entitled to.