Landscapers must protect against a variety of potential accidents

Working as a landscaper is a rewarding job. In the modern American economy, it is one of the few remaining jobs where you can take a picture of your work at the end of the day.

But gardening and landscaping professionals also face one of the most dangerous workplaces, the outdoors. As you do your job, you may realize that you’re often put in a difficult spot in regard to your health and well-being.

Landscapers must protect against a variety of potential accidents and injuries, including the following:

• Equipment accidents: These are common, such as one person striking another when driving a tractor. Just the same, lack of knowledge on how to operate equipment is a big concern.
• Trip and fall: It’s not uncommon for landscapers to contend with a variety of debris in their work area. From tools to tree roots, there are many items that can cause a slip-and-fall accident.
• Fall from height: Landscapers don’t always work at height, but when they do, they must take extra care. An example would be someone climbing a ladder to trim tree limbs.
• Exposure to extreme heat: In California, for example, it’s not out of the question to work outdoors when the temperature reaches triple digits. If this happens, it’s important to take the heat into consideration. Regular water breaks in a cool area are a must.
• Lifting heavy items: Lifting injuries are common, as many people often bite off more than they can chew. Maybe you attempt to lift a tree or bush that is entirely too heavy. Maybe you bend over to pull a tool out of a hole. Proper lifting technique can help, but there’s no guaranteed way to avoid injury.

If you’re part of an accident or suffer any type of injury, stop what you’re doing to assess the situation. This typically means making note of your injury and calling for help. You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to seek immediate medical attention.

Once your doctor diagnoses your injury and explains your prognosis, you’ll know what to do next. They may suggest that you take time away from work, as your body needs to recover.

If your injury will keep you away from the job site in the future, file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. You can receive payments until you’re able to return to work and once again earn your full income.