Lessons learned from Ohio workers' compensation claims to mitigate hazards in the landscaping services industry

Abstract

Background: The landscaping services industry is one of the more dangerous in the United States, with higher rates of both fatal and nonfatal injuries than the allindustry average. This study uses claims from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (OHBWC) database to identify high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses in this industry in Ohio. The causes of those illnesses and injuries are highlighted to identify common factors. Methods:The OHBWC database includes injured-worker industry identification, occupation, business size, demographics, diagnoses, and free-text descriptions of injury circumstances. We identified landscaping service industry claims from 2001 to 2017, and describe annual claim counts and rates.Results: Over the 17-year period, 18,037 claims were accepted, with "Struck by object or equipment" and "Overexertion involving outside sources" being the most common events or exposures. Sprains and fractures were the most prevalent of the more serious lost-time (LT) injuries. Free-text descriptions of claims indicate that arborist work and loading/unloading of work vehicles and trailers are particularly hazardous. Younger and shorter-tenured workers were injured most frequently, although the average workers' age was higher for LT claims.

The Role of Worker Age in Ohio Workers’ Compensation Claims in the Landscaping Services Industry

“…Therefore, the rates of injuries and illnesses reported here may be low. However, since 2012, the BLS incidence rate for nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the landscaping services industry is very similar to the rate of all claims to OHBWC 3 …”

“…In view of the high rates of injury to young and short-tenure workers, especially injuries due to “contact with objects and equipment,” 3 there may be a need for better engineering controls in the form of improved safety features on outdoor power equipment. Young and newly hired workers need training, especially on the safe use of power tools.…”

“…In our earlier study, landscaping services industry claims to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OHBWC) from 2001 to 2017 were examined to characterize the incidents leading to claims in this industry 3 . Unlike the system used by the BLS, OHBWC defines workers’ compensation (WC) claims as medical-only (MO) or lost-time (LT).…”

“…This was identified in our previous study as possibly being an underrated cause of injury in this industry. 3 Engineering controls such as improved truck, trailer, and ramp safety features, and better procedures and training for loading and unloading have been previously identified as potential interventions for reducing these claims. 3 Five of the 40 falls were falls from ladders; only 1 of the falls was a fall from a tree.…”

“…3 Engineering controls such as improved truck, trailer, and ramp safety features, and better procedures and training for loading and unloading have been previously identified as potential interventions for reducing these claims. 3 Five of the 40 falls were falls from ladders; only 1 of the falls was a fall from a tree. As noted in a study by Pollard et al, 32 ascending and descending a ladder can be a hazardous task.…”