“I’ve got a lot going on” is a common refrain from landscaping professionals at this time of year.
This is, in fact, one of the busier stretches on the calendar—winter is thawing, trees are blossoming, grass is growing, and flowers are blooming. As many parts of the country enter their rainy spring season, landscapers face several challenges as they prepare for summer. But before we can enjoy the warmer weather, there’s a significant cleanup job facing landscapers due to changing weather conditions and the damage left behind from winter and early spring storms.
Landscaping safety risks lurk at almost every turn and every aspect of the job, including specific risks to be aware of when spring cleanup begins.
Seasonal change brings busy times for landscaping businesses
Landscaping work is genuinely year-round: snow removal, irrigation, spring cleanups, hardscaping, lawn care, and more.
When there’s so much happening and people working in different areas at any given time, it may seem like a tall task to prevent landscaping worker injury. Beyond worker safety tips for landscapers, there’s a need for industry-specific insurance that is fit for landscaping businesses; a generic policy from mainstream carriers is likely to leave clients exposed and, in many cases, on the hook for costly damages and medical bills in the event of an accident.
Landscaping business insurance should be customized and consider all potential risks, so that clients aren’t left wondering if their policy covers what they need.
Getting ahead is invaluable for landscaping clients, and brokers can do that simply by finding the right insurance partner. That partner is LandPro.
Know the key risks, and prioritize workers’ safety
When you’ve spent 35-plus years helping landscaping businesses find tailored insurance solutions, chances are you’ve seen a wide range of risk exposures. The main risk is demand. Spring is the highest-demand season for landscapers, and while that’s generally good for business, it can also be less safe.
First and foremost, make sure clients know all proper safety procedures and protocols regarding materials they may be handling, vehicles and equipment they operate, and visible and hidden risks (utility lines, as an example). The overwhelming majority of worker-related landscaping accidents occur in spring, placing an added importance on landscaper liability insurance and workers’ compensation for landscapers.
Liability exposures and workers’ compensation risks exist all year long, but particularly during these busy times. It’s important to know the main risks and be prepared to educate clients on how they can protect their business and employees.
Slips and falls on uneven or wet surfaces
Weather is volatile and can change on a dime, and as a result, slips or falls are a leading cause of worker injury in landscaping. Uneven surfaces and wet surfaces cause the most accidents.
Equipment and vehicle-related accidents
Many accidents involving equipment and vehicles are due to improper safety training or a lack of safety during operation. Educating employees—and helping them acquire any licenses or certifications—is essential to a safer work environment.
Cuts or injuries due to debris
During spring cleanup, debris from storms and falling limbs poses a significant hazard to employees. The best advice is to stay vigilant, err on the side of caution, and always conduct a thorough assessment of the site before working.
LandPro and WorkCompEdge are industry-leading solutions for worker safety
The right insurance partner—one that truly understands your clients and their unique risks—makes all the difference in the world. LandPro’s industry-leading insurance program includes coverage for risks like snow removal, gardening, construction, tree spraying and pruning, lawn care, and more.
Spring cleanup is some of the most critical work landscaping clients will perform, and it happens to coincide with a period of elevated risk that could result in workers’ compensation claims. Being prepared not only with knowledge and training, but also specialized insurance, puts clients in a stronger position (and instills more trust in the broker-client relationship).
WorkCompEdge from NIP Group offers high-hazard workers’ compensation insurance (ideal for landscapers) and helps support clients with a safety-first mindset in the construction and agricultural sectors. These two insurance programs, paired together, help you meet workers’ compensation requirements for landscapers and also limit risk exposure by putting safety first.
If you’d like to learn more about LandPro’s tailored landscaping insurance products and how WorkCompEdge can support your employees, please complete the form.
