Under the label "landscaper" we are referring to gardeners, greenskeepers, lawn care specialists and horticultural workers. They can work in businesses or homes, indoors or outdoors. Landscapers usually work for a landscaping company, or as a municipal employee maintaining city parks.
Some of the main duties of a landscaper are to:
duty Plan, create and maintain landscaped environments, which may include flowers, plants, trees, lawns, fences, decks, patios or water features.
duty Prepare and spray chemical mixtures using various types of equipment.
duty Operate powered equipment and hand tools.
Depending on exact occupation or geographic location, the following are possible risks:
biological Exposure to infectious human and animal waste.
biological Irritation or allergic reaction from plants, or from insect bites or stings.
biological West Nile virus, Lyme disease or rocky mountain spotted fever.
general Histoplasmosis from bird droppings.
biological Hantavirus from mouse droppings.
chemical Exposure to pesticides and other hazardous products.
ergonomic Pain or injury from working in awkward positions, lifting and carrying heavy objects.
physical Noise.
physical Exposure to extreme temperatures and weather (e.g., lightning).
general Driving, including use of mobile devices, and driving in winter.
physical Exposure to UV radiation (risk of skin cancer from sunlight).
safety Work with landscaping machinery, manual and power tools, chainsaws, and ladders.
safety Working near electrical lines.
safety Working with flammable products (e.g., fuel).
psychosocial Stress.
psychosocial Working alone.
requirement Wash your hands frequently.
ppe Remove contaminated clothing and footwear to avoid transferring chemicals to your home or other "clean" spaces.
requirement Wash contaminated items before re-wearing or discarding.
requirement Read the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each chemical used.
requirement Keep your limbs covered to avoid insect bites.
requirement Protect yourself from the sun and from extreme heat or cold.
requirement Learn safe lifting techniques.
ppe Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
requirement Know how to safely use equipment and tools.
requirement Practice safe lifting techniques.
requirement Work safely with equipment, tools, and ladders.
requirement Follow SDS recommendations when working with chemicals.
requirement pesticides or other products
requirement power tools and other equipment
requirement ladders
requirement machinery including lawnmowers, vehicles, chainsaws, etc.
administrative Follow safety procedures when working with:
ppe Use, maintain and store personal protective equipment according to manufacturers' recommendations.
requirement Stay hydrated to avoid heat stress.
requirement Know the signs of an insect bite and how to identify ticks.
requirement Follow company safety rules.
administrative Know how to report a hazard.
administrative Follow good housekeeping procedures.