FACTS

Key hazards related to workplace cleanliness in the landscaping industry:

1. Slips, Trips, and Falls: Cluttered work areas, improperly stored tools, and debris can create tripping hazards.
2. Pest Infestation: Poor cleanliness, especially where organic materials like mulch, grass clippings, and soil are stored, can attract pests such as rodents and insects. These pests can carry diseases.
3. Chemical Exposure: Improper storage and disposal of chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, and fuel can lead to leaks or spills. If not cleaned up promptly, these chemicals can pose serious health risks.
4. Increased Risk of Injuries from Tools and Equipment: Tools and equipment that are not properly stored can cause accidents, such as cuts or puncture wounds.
5. Spread of Contagious Illnesses: Poor hygiene practices, including inadequate cleaning of shared tools, equipment, and facilities, can contribute to the spread of illnesses among workers.
6. Fire Hazards: Accumulation of flammable materials like dry leaves, paper, or cardboard, combined with improper storage of flammable liquids, can increase the risk of fire.

STATS

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that slips, trips, and falls account for approximately 27% of all workplace injuries across industries, including landscaping. Many of these incidents can be attributed to poor workplace cleanliness, such as cluttered walkways or wet surfaces.
• In Canada, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reports that slips, trips, and falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries, with poor housekeeping being a significant contributing factor.
• The landscaping services industry has a higher rate of both fatal and nonfatal injuries compared to the all-industry average. For instance, the rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in landscaping was 176.8 per 10,000 full-time workers in 2018, significantly higher than the overall private industry rate of 89.7 .
• From 2011 to 2021, there were 1,072 work-related fatalities in the landscaping and groundskeeping industry, with 142 fatalities reported in 2021 alone.