EQUIPMENT

We interview safety advisor Sam Steel

We saw several companies with safety-focused apparel at the National Association of Landscape Professionals ( NALP ) Elevate conference . After the event , we caught up with Sam Steel , safety advisor to the NALP . He shared his experience helping workers and managers address safety on the job .

OPE +: What is the most common cause of injuries in landscaping environments ? Sam Steel : Falls in the workplace are the No . 1 reason why workers are injured in all workplaces in the U . S . In terms of equipment operation and what we see in landscaping , eye injuries are probably the No . 1 . Debris flies out from underneath mower decks , and in tree care from chainsaws .

We did some work with landscapers in the Chicago metro area who weren ’ t wearing protective eyewear . The bottom line was the workers liked to wear aviator style sunglasses in the summer but those don ’ t meet certain safety standards . It was a battle convincing them they should use eyewear that protected them from flying debris , while guarding the sides of their eyes and blocking ultraviolet light . That ’ s a good example of safety apparel that either gets neglected or the workers think something else is just as good .

Over the long term , hearing damage from exposure to excessive noise is a problem for landscape workers . Most of the commercial size zero turn mowers produce a noise level in excess of 90 decibels . That ’ s what OSHA calls the permissible exposure limit ( often abbreviated to PEL ) for an 8-hour workday . If workers are exposed to sound measured at 90 dBA during an 8-hour workday , then hearing protection is required . Many of the big commercial zero turn mowers generate between 92 and 95 dBA when operating at full throttle . And companies need to provide the proper hearing protection .

Tree care companies always require hearing protection because many gas-powered chainsaws are even louder than other equipment .

“ For users of all our equipment , the absolute # 1 priority is safety ,” said Stanley Black & Decker ’ s Aaron Griffith . Many manufacturers have a variety of PPE available and dealers should consider stocking more of this for their pro and residential customers .

OPE +: How do you advise managers to get a handle on safety from the start ? Steel : Step 1 : Audit the work site . Review any unique hazards at individual locations . Are there slopes , or tight work areas , or lots of sun exposure , or limited visibility , or other risks ? Also review the regular equipment they ’ ll use every day at each location .

Step 2 is about PPE , and that includes what to use , how to use it , and how to maintain it . The managers of the firm need to think about purchasing PPE that ’ s necessary and make sure that the workers have been trained to use it properly .

When you give workers ear plugs , make sure they ’ re properly inserting the ear plugs into the ear canal . And many workers today like to use ear protection with a built-in audio , but OSHA looks negatively on those . Those devices will limit a worker ’ s ability to hear their coworkers or other necessary sounds .

Hardscape installers must take seriously the need for respiratory protection . When cutting paver blocks , workers are exposed to the material , and silica dust can cause real problems over time .

14 OPE + December 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com