Landscaping Safety Manual

What Should a Landscaping Safety Manual Include?

The contents of a Landscaping Safety Manual should be selected according to the company’s actual work.

A lawn-maintenance company whose employees primarily mow, trim, edge, blow, and fertilize properties may need a different combination of programs than a landscape contractor that installs irrigation systems, performs grading, operates skid steers, excavates trenches, installs retaining walls, and constructs hardscape features.

Depending on the company’s operations, the manual may address:

• Management and employee responsibilities.
• Hazard identification and assessment.
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA).
• Lawn and landscape maintenance.
• Mowers and powered landscape equipment.
• Landscape installation.
• Irrigation.
• Excavation and trenching.
• Hardscape construction.
• Mobile equipment.
• Pesticides and chemicals.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Heat and weather.
• Vehicles and trailers.
• Emergency response.

Programs should be included according to actual employee exposures and applicable requirements.

Landscaping Safety Program

Landscape work should be planned and performed according to established safe-work practices.

Managers and supervisors should evaluate the company’s operations, identify hazards, provide appropriate equipment and PPE, ensure required training is completed, and correct unsafe conditions.

Employees should follow established procedures, inspect equipment as required, use assigned PPE, report hazards and equipment defects, and stop work when conditions create an immediate danger that cannot be safely controlled.

Landscaping Maintenance vs. Construction Activities

Landscaping companies may perform both maintenance and construction activities.

Routine lawn care, pruning, landscape maintenance, and similar work may be subject to applicable general-industry requirements. Installation and building activities may involve construction requirements depending on the work being performed.

Examples of work that may involve construction-related hazards include:

• Excavation.
• Grading.
• Irrigation installation.
• Retaining-wall construction.
• Walkway and patio installation.
• Concrete or masonry work.
• Certain structural landscape features.

The company should evaluate the activity being performed rather than assuming that every landscaping operation is governed by the same requirements.

Pre-Job Planning and JSA/JHA

Before landscaping work begins, employees should evaluate the worksite and planned activities.

A pre-job assessment or JSA/JHA may consider:

• Work to be performed.
• Equipment.
• Terrain.
• Slopes.
• Traffic.
• Pedestrians.
• Underground utilities.
• Overhead power lines.
• Excavations.
• Chemicals.
• Weather.
• Heat.
• Nearby structures.
• Other contractors.
• Emergency access.

Employees should understand their assignments, hazards, controls, and emergency procedures before beginning unfamiliar or high-hazard work.

Landscape Worksite Hazard Assessment

Landscape worksites can change significantly from one property to another.

Before beginning work, employees should identify conditions such as:

• Uneven terrain.
• Holes.
• Slopes.
• Wet surfaces.
• Rocks and debris.
• Electrical lines.
• Underground utilities.
• Traffic.
• Pedestrians.
• Animals and insects.
• Irrigation components.
• Buildings and property.
• Weather conditions.

Hazards should be corrected or controlled before affected work begins.

Lawn and Landscape Maintenance

Landscape-maintenance operations may include:

• Mowing.
• Edging.
• Trimming.
• Pruning.
• Blowing.
• Fertilizing.
• Weed control.
• Leaf and debris removal.
• General property maintenance.

Employees should use equipment appropriate for the task and inspect the work area before operating powered equipment.

Stones, wire, glass, branches, and other objects that could become projectiles should be removed when practical.

Lawn Mower Safety

Employees operating lawn mowers should be trained in the controls, hazards, and safe operating procedures for the equipment they use.

Before operation:

• Inspect the mower.
• Verify guards and shields are in place.
• Check the work area.
• Remove potential projectiles.
• Identify slopes and drop-offs.
• Keep unnecessary persons away.

Hands and feet should be kept away from blades and discharge openings.

Mowers should be shut down and appropriately secured before employees clear jams or perform maintenance requiring exposure to hazardous moving parts.

Riding and Zero-Turn Mowers

Riding and zero-turn mowers can expose operators to overturn, struck-by, caught-between, and blade hazards.

Operators should:

• Wear seat belts when required by the equipment and protective system.
• Maintain control on slopes.
• Avoid unsafe edges and drop-offs.
• Reduce speed when turning.
• Look behind before backing.
• Keep riders off equipment not designed for passengers.
• Follow manufacturer slope limitations.

Roll-over protective structures and other protective equipment should be used as designed.

String Trimmers and Brush Cutters

String trimmers and brush cutters can throw rocks, wire, glass, and other debris at high velocity.

Employees should:

• Inspect the work area.
• Maintain required guards.
• Use eye and face protection as appropriate.
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing.
• Maintain separation from other employees and the public.
• Shut equipment down before making adjustments.

Brush-cutting blades and attachments should be compatible with the equipment.

Hedge Trimmers

Hedge trimmers can cause severe cuts and lacerations.

Employees should maintain control of the tool, keep hands away from cutting blades, and avoid working from unstable positions.

Before clearing jams or performing maintenance, the equipment should be shut down and protected against unexpected movement.

Leaf Blowers

Employees operating blowers should consider noise, flying debris, dust, pedestrians, vehicles, and nearby employees.

Appropriate eye and hearing protection should be used according to the hazard assessment.

Employees should avoid directing debris toward people, traffic, open doors, windows, or other areas where material could create a hazard.

Edgers, Tillers and Small Equipment

Edgers, tillers, cultivators, augers, and other powered landscape equipment should be inspected and operated according to manufacturer instructions.

Employees should:

• Maintain guards.
• Keep clear of moving parts.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Maintain stable footing.
• Shut equipment down before servicing or clearing obstructions.

Only approved attachments should be used.

Machine Guarding

Guards and safety devices installed on mowers, chippers, grinders, cutters, shop equipment, and other machinery should remain in place and functional.

Employees should not bypass guards or protective devices.

Equipment with missing or defective required guards should be removed from service until corrected.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

Landscape equipment should be inspected according to company procedures and manufacturer recommendations.

Inspections may include:

• Guards.
• Controls.
• Blades.
• Belts.
• Tires.
• Hydraulic systems.
• Fuel systems.
• Electrical components.
• Safety devices.

Defects affecting safe operation should be corrected before the equipment is returned to service.

Lockout/Tagout

Employees servicing or maintaining machinery may be exposed to unexpected startup or stored energy.

Where applicable, hazardous-energy procedures should address:

• Equipment shutdown.
• Energy isolation.
• Lockout/tagout.
• Stored energy.
• Verification.
• Release from lockout/tagout.

Employees should receive training appropriate to their responsibilities.

Landscape Installation

Landscape installation may involve soil preparation, grading, planting, irrigation, equipment operation, excavation, hardscape work, and material handling.

Before installation begins, employees should evaluate:

• Site access.
• Utilities.
• Equipment routes.
• Excavations.
• Material staging.
• Traffic.
• Public exposure.
• Other contractors.

Work should be coordinated so one operation does not create unnecessary hazards for another crew.

Planting Trees, Shrubs and Lawns

Planting operations may involve lifting, digging, equipment, sharp tools, chemicals, and heat exposure.

Employees should use mechanical assistance or team lifting for heavy or awkward plants and materials when practical.

Holes and excavations should be protected where they create a trip or fall hazard.

Soil Preparation and Grading

Soil preparation and grading may involve skid steers, loaders, tractors, compact equipment, tillers, and other machinery.

Employees on foot should maintain appropriate separation from moving equipment.

Operators should be aware of:

• Slopes.
• Soft ground.
• Drop-offs.
• Utilities.
• Employees.
• Structures.
• Traffic.

Equipment should be operated within manufacturer limitations.

Skid Steers and Compact Equipment

Skid steers and compact loaders are frequently used to move soil, mulch, stone, pallets, plants, and other landscape materials.

Operators should:

• Use required restraints.
• Keep loads controlled.
• Travel with loads positioned appropriately.
• Avoid carrying unauthorized riders.
• Maintain visibility.
• Keep employees clear of operating areas.

Employees should never place themselves beneath unsupported raised equipment components.

Irrigation Installation Safety

Irrigation installation can involve trenching, underground utilities, powered trenchers, pipe cutting, chemicals, electrical equipment, and manual handling.

Before digging, underground utility locations should be identified as required.

Employees should remain clear of trencher blades, chains, augers, and other moving components.

Trenching for Irrigation

Irrigation trenches can create excavation hazards even when the work appears routine.

Employees should evaluate:

• Trench depth.
• Soil.
• Utilities.
• Water accumulation.
• Spoil placement.
• Equipment.
• Access.
• Nearby traffic.

Applicable excavation and trenching requirements should be followed according to the conditions and depth of the excavation.

Underground Utilities

Before excavation, drilling, trenching, or similar ground disturbance, applicable underground utility locations should be identified.

Employees should understand utility markings and use appropriate excavation practices near known installations.

Unknown lines, abandoned utilities, irrigation systems, and private utilities should also be considered during planning.

PVC Glues, Primers and Chemicals

Irrigation work may involve primers, solvent cements, cleaners, adhesives, and other chemicals.

Employees should:

• Review product labels and Safety Data Sheets.
• Use appropriate PPE.
• Maintain ventilation.
• Control ignition sources where applicable.
• Store containers properly.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.

Chemical containers should remain properly labeled.

Hardscape Construction Safety

Landscape contractors may install:

• Pavers.
• Patios.
• Walkways.
• Retaining walls.
• Landscape walls.
• Stone features.
• Concrete features.

These operations may introduce construction hazards involving excavation, silica, cutting equipment, heavy materials, mobile equipment, and manual handling.

Applicable programs should be added when the company performs these operations.

Concrete, Masonry and Stone Cutting

Cutting concrete, masonry, pavers, brick, block, or stone can expose employees to flying particles, noise, rotating blades, and respirable crystalline silica.

Equipment should be properly guarded and operated according to manufacturer instructions.

Dust-control methods should be used when required.

Silica Exposure

Landscape contractors performing concrete, masonry, stone, or paver cutting may generate respirable crystalline silica.

When applicable, the company should evaluate employee exposure and implement required controls, work practices, respiratory protection, housekeeping methods, and training.

Silica requirements should be addressed according to the specific operations employees perform.

Excavation and Trenching

Landscape construction may require excavations for irrigation, drainage, retaining walls, utilities, planting, and other features.

Applicable procedures should address:

• Underground utilities.
• Soil conditions.
• Cave-in protection.
• Access and egress.
• Spoil placement.
• Water accumulation.
• Equipment.
• Inspections.
• Hazardous atmospheres where applicable.

Employees should not enter an unsafe excavation.

Retaining Walls, Pavers and Stone

Retaining walls and hardscape installations may involve heavy materials, cutting equipment, compactors, excavations, and mobile equipment.

Employees should use appropriate material-handling methods and keep hands and feet clear of pinch and crush points.

Work areas should be maintained to reduce trip hazards created by materials and uneven surfaces.

Hand and Power Tools

Landscaping employees may use saws, drills, grinders, pruners, shovels, picks, post-hole equipment, and numerous other tools.

Tools should be:

• Appropriate for the task.
• Inspected before use.
• Properly guarded.
• Maintained.
• Used according to manufacturer instructions.

Defective tools should be removed from service.

Pesticide Safety

Landscaping companies may apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other products.

Employees should follow applicable product labels and company procedures for:

• Handling.
• Mixing.
• Application.
• PPE.
• Storage.
• Transportation.
• Spill response.
• Disposal.

Only appropriately trained and authorized employees should perform applications requiring specialized qualifications or licensing.

Herbicides and Fertilizers

Herbicides, fertilizers, and lawn-care products should be handled according to their labels, Safety Data Sheets where applicable, and company procedures.

Employees should avoid unnecessary skin, eye, and inhalation exposure and use required PPE.

Products should be stored and transported to prevent spills and incompatible storage.

Hazard Communication

Employees who work with hazardous chemicals should receive information and training required by the company’s Hazard Communication Program.

The program should address:

• Chemical inventory.
• Container labeling.
• Safety Data Sheets.
• Employee information and training.
• Non-routine tasks.
• Multi-employer worksites where applicable.

Employees should know how to obtain information about the chemicals they use.

Chemical Storage, Mixing and Application

Chemical storage and mixing areas should be arranged to reduce exposure, spills, incompatible storage, and unauthorized access.

Employees should:

• Use appropriate PPE.
• Follow labels.
• Use designated measuring equipment.
• Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while handling chemicals.
• Wash appropriately after handling products.
• Report spills and exposures.

Emergency washing provisions should be available where required by the hazards involved.

Personal Protective Equipment

PPE should be selected according to the company’s hazard assessment and the work being performed.

Depending on the task, PPE may include:

• Safety glasses.
• Face shields.
• Gloves.
• Protective footwear.
• Hearing protection.
• High-visibility apparel.
• Head protection.
• Chemical-resistant equipment.
• Respiratory protection.

Employees should inspect and maintain PPE and replace defective equipment.

Eye and Face Protection

Mowers, trimmers, blowers, saws, grinders, chemicals, and other landscaping operations can expose employees to flying particles, dust, and splashes.

Appropriate eye and face protection should be selected according to the hazard.

Hearing Conservation

Mowers, blowers, trimmers, saws, compactors, and other equipment may expose employees to occupational noise.

Noise exposure should be evaluated and appropriate engineering controls, work practices, hearing protection, training, and hearing-conservation measures implemented where required.

Respiratory Protection

Dusts, pesticides, chemicals, silica, and other airborne contaminants may create respiratory hazards.

Engineering and work-practice controls should be used where appropriate.

When respirators are required, they should be used under the company’s applicable Respiratory Protection Program.

Manual Lifting and Material Handling

Landscaping employees frequently handle:

• Plants.
• Sod.
• Fertilizer.
• Soil.
• Mulch.
• Stone.
• Pavers.
• Tools.
• Equipment.

Mechanical assistance, carts, equipment, or team lifting should be used when practical for heavy or awkward materials.

Employees should avoid unnecessary twisting and uncontrolled lifting.

Ergonomics

Repetitive trimming, planting, raking, shoveling, lifting, and equipment operation can contribute to musculoskeletal injuries.

Work should be organized to reduce unnecessary force, awkward posture, repetitive motion, and prolonged static positions where practical.

Employees should use tools suited to the task and report symptoms early.

Heat Stress Prevention

Landscaping employees frequently perform strenuous outdoor work during hot weather.

Heat-illness prevention procedures should address:

• Drinking water.
• Rest.
• Acclimatization.
• Shade or cooling opportunities.
• Work scheduling.
• Employee monitoring.
• Recognition of symptoms.
• Emergency response.

Supervisors should account for workload, weather, PPE, and individual acclimatization when evaluating heat exposure.

Cold Stress

Landscaping work may continue during cold, wet, or windy conditions.

Employees should use appropriate clothing and understand the signs and symptoms of cold-related illness.

Wet clothing should be replaced when practical, and warming opportunities should be provided according to conditions.

Severe Weather and Lightning

Outdoor landscaping operations may be affected by thunderstorms, lightning, high winds, heavy rain, flooding, snow, ice, and other severe weather.

Supervisors should monitor conditions and suspend operations when weather makes equipment operation, electrical exposure, excavation, elevated work, or other tasks unsafe.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Uneven terrain, irrigation components, tools, hoses, debris, wet grass, mud, and landscape materials can create slip and trip hazards.

Employees should maintain orderly work areas and identify changes in elevation, holes, and other walking-surface hazards.

Electrical Safety

Landscaping employees may encounter temporary power, electrical tools, irrigation controls, exterior electrical equipment, and overhead or underground electrical systems.

Electrical equipment should be inspected and used according to applicable requirements.

Damaged cords, plugs, tools, and equipment should be removed from service.

Overhead Power Lines

Before operating equipment or performing work near overhead electrical conductors, employees should identify the hazard and maintain applicable clearances.

Particular attention should be given to:

• Dump beds.
• Booms.
• Aerial equipment.
• Long-handled tools.
• Trees and branches.
• Irrigation pipe.
• Ladders.

Employees should not assume that an overhead conductor is de-energized.

Traffic Control and Roadside Work

Landscape crews may work near streets, parking lots, driveways, and moving vehicles.

Appropriate controls may include:

• High-visibility apparel.
• Cones.
• Signs.
• Barricades.
• Vehicle positioning.
• Flaggers where appropriate.
• Pedestrian routing.

Employees should avoid turning their backs on uncontrolled traffic when practical.

Working Around the Public

Landscape work is frequently performed around residents, customers, pedestrians, children, and other members of the public.

Work areas should be controlled to prevent people from entering areas exposed to:

• Flying debris.
• Equipment.
• Chemicals.
• Excavations.
• Falling materials.
• Vehicle movement.

Employees should stop work when members of the public enter an area where the operation cannot be safely continued.

Driving and Fleet Safety

Landscape crews frequently travel between jobsites while transporting employees, equipment, chemicals, and materials.

Procedures should address:

• Driver qualification.
• Vehicle inspection.
• Seat-belt use.
• Distracted driving.
• Backing.
• Parking.
• Load securement.
• Accident reporting.

Drivers should account for the handling characteristics of vehicles carrying or towing equipment.

Trailer Safety

Landscape trailers may transport mowers, skid steers, trenchers, materials, and other equipment.

Before travel, employees should verify:

• Hitch connection.
• Safety chains.
• Electrical connection.
• Lights.
• Tires.
• Brakes where equipped.
• Ramps and gates.
• Load securement.

Equipment should be positioned and secured to prevent movement during transportation.

Loading and Unloading Equipment

Loading and unloading mowers, compact equipment, and other machinery can expose employees to overturn, fall, and struck-by hazards.

Ramps should be suitable for the equipment and properly positioned.

Operators should maintain control and keep unnecessary employees away from the loading area.

Fueling and Flammable Liquids

Gasoline, diesel fuel, and other flammable or combustible liquids should be stored, transported, and handled using appropriate containers and procedures.

Equipment should be shut down as required before fueling.

Ignition sources should be controlled, and spills should be addressed promptly.

Emergency Action Plan

Landscaping companies should establish emergency procedures appropriate to their operations and locations.

Potential emergencies may include:

• Serious injuries.
• Vehicle accidents.
• Electrical contact.
• Chemical exposure.
• Heat illness.
• Equipment incidents.
• Severe weather.
• Fires.

Employees should know how to summon assistance and provide accurate jobsite-location information.

First Aid

Appropriate first-aid arrangements and supplies should be maintained according to applicable requirements and worksite conditions.

Crews working away from fixed facilities should know where first-aid supplies are located and how to obtain emergency medical assistance.

New, Seasonal and Short-Service Employees

Landscaping companies may employ seasonal, temporary, young, or inexperienced employees.

New employees should receive appropriate orientation before beginning work and should not operate equipment or perform hazardous tasks until they have received the necessary instruction and training.

Supervision should reflect the employee’s experience and familiarity with the work.

Landscaping Safety Training

Employees should receive safety training appropriate to their responsibilities and assigned tasks.

Training may include:

• Equipment operation.
• PPE.
• Hazard Communication.
• Pesticides.
• Heat illness.
• Electrical hazards.
• Excavation.
• Traffic exposure.
• Material handling.
• Emergency procedures.

Required training should be communicated in a language and vocabulary employees can understand.

Landscaping JSA/JHA

JSAs/JHAs can be developed for recurring and higher-hazard landscaping activities.

Useful topics may include:

• Lawn mowing.
• String trimming.
• Brush cutting.
• Skid-steer operation.
• Irrigation installation.
• Trenching.
• Hardscape installation.
• Paver and stone cutting.
• Pesticide application.
• Trailer loading.
• Roadside landscaping.
• Material handling.

The JSA/JHA should reflect the actual equipment, worksite, employees, and conditions.

Additional Safety Programs for Landscaping Companies

Depending on the company’s services, equipment, and hazards, additional programs may include:

• Cold Stress.
• Concrete Cutting and Drilling.
• Driving and Fleet Safety.
• Electrical Safety.
• Emergency Action Plan.
• Excavation and Trenching.
• Fire Prevention.
• First Aid.
• Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
• Hand and Power Tools.
• Hazard Communication.
• Hearing Conservation.
• Heat Stress Prevention.
• Heavy and Mobile Equipment.
• Lockout/Tagout.
• Machine Guarding.
• Manual Lifting and Material Handling.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Pesticide Safety.
• Respiratory Protection.
• Silica Exposure.
• Spill Prevention and Response.
• Traffic Control.
• Underground Utilities.
• Working Alone.

The manual should include programs that match actual operations rather than treating every landscaping company as though it performs the same work.

Tree-Care Operations

Some landscaping companies also perform tree pruning, trimming, or limited tree-care work.

Companies whose employees perform substantial tree climbing, tree removal, aerial tree work, tree rigging, wood chipping, stump grinding, crane-assisted tree removal, or other specialized arboricultural operations should evaluate the additional hazards and safety programs applicable to professional tree service work.

These operations can involve specialized climbing, fall, struck-by, electrical, rigging, equipment, and rescue hazards beyond those normally encountered during landscape maintenance.

Companies performing these services should also review the Tree Service Safety Manual.

Landscaping Toolbox Talks

Toolbox talks and short safety meetings can reinforce hazards associated with current landscaping work.

Useful topics may include:

• Mower safety.
• String trimmers.
• PPE.
• Hearing protection.
• Heat stress.
• Pesticides.
• Manual lifting.
• Skid steers.
• Trailer safety.
• Underground utilities.
• Traffic exposure.
• Hand and power tools.
• Housekeeping.

Toolbox talks supplement required safety training but should not replace training specifically required for assigned work.

Building a Landscaping Safety Manual

A practical Landscaping Safety Manual should reflect what the company actually does.

Consider whether employees:

• Perform lawn maintenance.
• Operate riding mowers.
• Use trimmers and blowers.
• Apply pesticides or fertilizers.
• Install plants and sod.
• Install irrigation.
• Excavate trenches.
• Operate skid steers or other mobile equipment.
• Perform grading.
• Install pavers or retaining walls.
• Cut concrete, masonry, or stone.
• Work near traffic.
• Tow equipment.
• Work near electrical conductors.
• Perform tree-care operations.

These activities help determine which written safety programs should be included.

A lawn-maintenance company should not receive a manual filled with procedures for excavation and hardscape construction it never performs. Likewise, a full-service landscape contractor should have written programs addressing the construction, equipment, chemical, and other hazards its employees actually encounter.

Customized Landscaping Safety Manuals

Landscaping companies can request a customized Landscaping Safety Manual containing safety programs selected according to their actual services, equipment, and employee exposures.

The manual can be developed for lawn and landscape maintenance companies, landscape installation contractors, irrigation contractors, landscape construction companies, grounds-maintenance operations, and businesses providing combinations of these services.

Applicable programs can be selected for mowing, equipment, pesticides, irrigation, excavation, hardscape construction, silica, mobile equipment, heat, traffic, vehicles, and other hazards.

Individual safety programs can also be selected when a landscaping company needs to add or update a particular program within an existing safety manual.

Request a Landscaping Safety Manual Proposal

Safety Resources

Safety Manuals
Safety Programs
Job Safety Analysis (JSA/JHA)
Toolbox Talks & Safety Meetings
Safety Forms
Safety Audit & Inspection

Related Programs

Landscaping Safety
Lawn Mower Safety
Riding Mower Safety
Small Equipment Safety
Machine Guarding
Lockout/Tagout
Hand & Power Tools
Skid Steer Safety
Heavy Equipment & Mobile Equipment
Irrigation Safety
Excavation & Trenching
Underground Utilities
Hardscape Construction Safety
Concrete Cutting & Drilling
Silica Exposure
Pesticide Safety
Chemical Safety
Hazard Communication
Respiratory Protection
PPE
Eye & Face Protection
Hearing Conservation
Manual Lifting & Material Handling
Ergonomics
Heat Stress Prevention
Cold Stress
Severe Weather
Lightning Safety
Electrical Safety
Overhead Power Lines
Traffic Control / Work Zones
Roadside Work
Working Around the Public
Driving / Fleet Safety
Trailer Safety
Loading & Unloading Equipment
Flammable & Combustible Liquids
Spill Prevention & Response
Fire Prevention
Housekeeping
Slips, Trips & Falls
Emergency Action Plan
First Aid
Short Service Employee
Working Alone
Tree Service Safety

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