It’s not an understatement to say that, in many parts of the United States, it’s a hot one out there right now. Summer months are known for their warmer temperatures and longer days, as well as pool parties and cookouts. However, in the landscaping industry, these months are considered “high alert” times for employees.
Safety for workers is priority number one.
Landscaping professionals often work long hours and days in extreme heat with limited protection and little relief. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, landscapers or “grounds care professionals” are twice as likely to be injured or become ill on the job compared to all other categories of workers.
Landscaping crew heat safety is critical for workers and their employers. It’s also vital for brokers to help clients and their businesses find comprehensive and tailored insurance solutions. Think of this blog as a broker guide to heat safety for your landscaping clients, both current and prospective, that will help inform and educate them.
Common heat-related injuries and illnesses for landscaping workers
Workers’ compensation claims for landscaping professionals are pretty common, and many claims stem from inadequate training, a lack of oversight, or simply overexertion. All of these pitfalls can be considered manageable, but the education component is one that many brokers simply miss.
Many summer job site insurance risks are heat-related, and at the same time, many are preventable if businesses take precautions from the start, before workers even arrive on-site.
In fact, climate-related insurance claims for landscapers are almost as prevalent as slips and falls (which account for the majority of workers’ compensation claims in the United States).
Data from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (2021) showed overexertion and climate-related claims as the second-most common in the landscaping industry, and while it’s cause for concern, we can also look closer and find ways to mitigate summer risk exposure in landscaping.
Heat stress, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and rhabdomyolysis are the most commonly diagnosed illnesses related to extreme temperatures. With proper planning and training, we can take a prudent approach to high-heat job risk management.
How to manage injury prevention and claims during peak heat
As the broker, you should lead with an education-focused approach to extreme heat contractor safety. Every U.S. state (with the exception of Texas) requires employers to carry workers’ compensation coverage, so the emphasis is more on prevention than reaction.
LandPro by NIP Group has helped brokers and their clients find landscaper-centric insurance solutions for more than 35 years. With extensive industry-specific experience, we work closely with brokers to help implement safety practices that enable clients to mitigate risk and reduce heat illness-related workers’ compensation claims.
Proactive stress management
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has employer-specific recommendations to manage heat stress. These should be part of regular training and safety protocols that employers introduce before any formal job-specific training begins.
Train employees in their native language
It’s beneficial for employees to learn safety protocols in their native language, and it’s recommended to conduct training accordingly. Making training material available in a variety of languages can help improve on-the-job safety and reduce claims.
Encourage open dialogue and communication
Constant communication between employees and managers is a crucial component of improved safety and reduced workers’ compensation claims. Employers should request regular updates from on-site managers, and on-site managers should keep open lines of communication with workers, particularly in extreme heat.
Acclimatize and allow for scheduled breaks
It’s recommended that employers gradually introduce landscapers to extreme heat work and plan for regular breaks to hydrate and rest. Encouraging healthy beverage choices, particularly those with electrolytes and low sugar content, is beneficial to workers who operate in high-heat environments.
LandPro is a trusted insurance program for landscaping businesses
Heat-related workers’ compensation claims can be reduced, and we can help mitigate risk, but it’s unrealistic to expect complete elimination of incidents. Landscaping is widely regarded as one of the more dangerous occupations, and workers need the support of employers just as employers need support from their broker.
LandPro is an insurance program designed specifically for landscaping contractors and their employers. It’s the largest program of its kind and is rated “A+” by A.M. Best, which brokers and their clients benefit from a strong and stable program that understands the unique risks of their industry.
To learn more about LandPro, please fill out the form.
