In the United States, a person dies in a motor vehicle crash every 12 minutes, an injury occurs every 10 seconds and a crash takes place every 5 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these incidents occur during work or when employees are traveling to or from work. On-the-job traffic accidents are more common in the landscape industry because employees often are on the road, traveling between jobsites. Given that landscaping vehicles are commonly loaded with equipment and chemicals, accidents involving them often have more serious consequences.

Chemical exposure can cause or contribute to serious health issues including cancer, heart problems, damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, and lungs, burns, and rashes, according to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Some chemicals also can cause fires, explosions, and other accidents. Landscape-industry workers encounter chemicals in pesticides and fertilizers and things such as paint, propane, kerosene, cleaning solvents, and welding fumes. An effective hazard communication program can protect employees from harmful exposure to these chemicals.

Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common and expensive occupational health problem in the United States, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Causes of musculoskeletal injuries (also known as repetitive-stress, repetitive-strain and repetitive-motion injuries, and cumulative-trauma disorders) include repetitive motion, heavy lifting, awkward posture or a combination of these factors. In the landscaping industry, tasks such as lifting and carrying, using powered and non-powered tools, reaching, bending and pushing and pulling heavy loads throughout the day can lead to musculoskeletal injuries – most commonly, sprains to the back, neck and shoulders.

Operating trucks or truck-trailer combinations loaded with landscaping equipment and materials involves many potential hazards for crew members and those with whom they share the road. Overloading or neglecting to properly secure equipment, materials and plants in a pickup bed or trailer can result in serious injuries and even fatalities. Landscape companies can be held liable in court, and drivers can face criminal negligence charges.

Power tools present more hazards than hand tools due to the speed at which they operate and the potential for the user to come into contact with the power source (electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic etc.). There are differences between the PPE suggested for use with hand tools and the PPE suggested for safe power tool use.