Oregon OSHA offers landscaping safety tips, best practices

Salem, OR – The landscaping industry has a new resource to help workers stay safe on the job. A 28-page publication from Oregon OSHA covers best practices regarding lawn care equipment, ladders, noise exposure, pesticides, personal protective equipment, trenching and more.

Best practices listed in the guide, which was released in December, include:

• Inspecting ladders and removing any defective ladders from service
• Permitting only trained and authorized employees to operate commercial and industrial vehicles
• Furnishing first aid supplies for the types of injuries that could occur at the workplace
• Wearing cut-resistant chaps or leg protectors when using chain saws

The guide also reviews Oregon law requirements for licensing, injury recordkeeping and reporting, and establishing effective safety committees.