More than 912,000 people in the U.S. are employed as landscapers or groundskeepers. Landscaping is a dangerous profession. Heat, power tools, sharp instruments, and repetitive work can all lead to painful and sometimes debilitating workplace injuries. Here are some things you need to keep in mind during the busy summer season. Common injuries for landscapers include cuts, punctures, and amputations.…
Lightning is a dangerous natural force. Annually in the United States, cloud-to-ground lightning occurs 20 to 25 million times and over 300 people are struck by lightning. During the past 30 years, about 50 people, on average, have been killed by lightning strikes every year, and many more suffer permanent disabilities. Precautions should be taken to prevent worker exposure to…
Keeping your drivers safe on the road isn’t just essential for their health and well-being. Their safety directly impacts other motorists on the road, as well as your bottom line. The Department of Labor (DOL) singles out trucking as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. In fact, transportation and logistics fleets have some of the highest…
Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) have become a critical component to a complete fleet safety program, and are used for protecting a company against litigation following an accident. When an insurance company runs an MVR check, they will not share the results of that check with the insurance agent, or the employer. They will tell you if the employee is excluded…
Fleet vehicle accidents are among the most costly injury claims for businesses. The average cost of a loss related to vehicle accidents is approximately $70,000. This is almost twice the cost of the average workplace injury ($36,592). Without a formal fleet safety program, you may be putting the welfare of your employees and company at risk. A generic safety program…
For most employers, the cost of an employee’s work-related injury is covered by workers’ compensation insurance, which pays for medical care and replaces some of the income that the injured employee lost while unable to work. There is no coverage, however, for the hidden costs to your organization of that injury, such as reduced efficiency, the cost of training replacements,…
As we approach the peak heat of the summer season and as employers begin to re-open after months of COVID-19 quarantine, workers may be out of shape, out of practice on workplace safety procedures, and may have to re-breathe hot air through face coverings. As they focus on COVID-19 efforts, employers should remain aware of risks, rule violations, injuries, and…
Power lines are a serious and potentially fatal hazard to workers when safety precautions are not followed. Electrocution remains a major cause of deaths in the landscaping and construction industries. Cranes, backhoes, dump trucks, drill rigs and aerial lifts are common types of equipment involved in contacts with overhead power lines. However, low-tech equipment like ladders, tools and tool extensions, and scaffolds…
Basic Precautions Keep business units separate whenever possible Wash your hands frequently Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth Avoid shaking hands, hugging or other close contact Cough/sneeze into a tissue or your elbow if no tissue is available Stay home if you are sick Wear disposable gloves when cleaning/disinfecting Avoid gatherings of more than three people at work and…
Legalized marijuana, whether medical or recreational, is finding its roots nationwide. In those states that have legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana, employers must understand the relevant legal developments and how they affect the workplace. Currently, 33 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana use, and 10 states have approved both its medical and recreational use. So, what does this…
