5 Landscaping Injuries to Avoid This Spring

The weather is turning warm, and the grass is growing. Soon it will be time to crank up the mower, beginning the season’s landscaping. While working outside massage therapy in Lone Tree can be a great aftercare routine to keep the muscles healthy. There are so many things to do this year; after all, the front walkway could use some attention, you really wanted to plant a few trees in the backyard, a fire pit would be an excellent addition – oh, it’s definitely time to build that shed you’ve been meaning to work on for the past few years.

Many people enjoy working out in their yards, creating aesthetic masterpieces or simply maintaining what they already have. However, lawn projects open the door to a series of potential injuries, especially for those who do not practice proper safety procedures or are easily distracted. Identifying common hazards and knowing ways to reduce risk can reduce the chances you will suffer a severe injury and could even save your life!

5 Common Landscaping Injuries to Avoid

Whether working professionally in the landscaping business or sprucing up your own property, there are many opportunities for injury. The risks may differ depending on the type of project, but it always pays to take extra precautions to ensure that you complete your work unscathed. 

Here are some of the most common types of injuries people face when landscaping:

Trips, Slips, and Falls

While the seriousness of a fall depends on several factors, such as the height, the level of the ground, and the landing surface, even a basic routine such as mowing your lawn can prove a fall risk. The major factors are holes in the ground, uneven terrain, and unsafe conditions such as standing water or mud. If you have a dog, be aware that at any time, they could decide to dig a new hole, which can surprise you when walking across your lawn. 

Working at elevation, such as the roof, poses more significant risks than potentially broken or sprained ankles, as the fall can cause more significant injuries to the entire body, potentially resulting in paralysis or death. Dangers include losing your balance, slipping on a wet or loose tile, or tripping over a tool or other object. Even the wind can sometimes play a role, as an exceptionally robust gust at the wrong time could mean a tumble and a long fall. 

To protect yourself, always know your work area and be aware of any potential dangers, such as holes, weak spots, and wet or slippery surfaces. Be extra careful with ladders and ramps, and wear appropriate footwear that offers superior traction. Also, each day before you work, evaluate the area for new dangers, such as holes or discarded tools, and always clean up your work area when you finish.

Hearing Damage

Hearing is something that many people take for granted; however, once you suffer damage to the delicate inner workings of your ears, you may find yourself experiencing hearing loss or ailments such as tinnitus for the rest of your life. 

Tinnitus results from exposure to sudden or prolonged sounds at unsafe decibels, causing damage to the sensitive hairs responsible for detecting sound. These hairs can lay down or erroneously detect noises, which in most cases, results in a phantom sound in your head. This can manifest in various ways, from an electronic whine to buzzing to a siren sound, among many others. Tinnitus can be annoying at the best of times and is incredibly frustrating when there are no other sounds, such as when you are trying to sleep.

White noise and other coping mechanisms can improve the quality of life, but if you experience tinnitus symptoms for longer than 6 months, those sounds have likely taken up permanent residence in your head, rent-free.

When operating loud machinery, such as leaf blowers, mowers, or hedge trimmers, always wear suitable ear protection and take periodic breaks to ensure that your hearing remains in optimum condition.

Chemical Burns

The use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides are standard routine for some landscapers; however, these toxic liquids can have devastating consequences for the unwary or unprepared worker. Vomiting and headaches are minor consequences of exposure or contact with dangerous fluids, but they can cause burns, internal damage, and even cancer if not handled with care. 

Always check chemical storage tanks and dispensers for leaks, and ensure you read the manual to understand the proper usage of these poisons before you begin. Wear appropriate protective equipment designed to withstand chemicals and cover all exposed skin. Finally, take extra care when dispensing the toxins to ensure that you and anyone around you are safe from the spray.

If you do get chemicals on your skin, immediately remove any affected clothing and flush the area with clean water. You should call the National Poison Control center for additional advice, but definitely monitor your condition for at least the next 24 hours, as detrimental symptoms may not appear immediately.

Hyperthermia

As spring ages, temperatures rise, increasing the risk that you may experience hyperthermia, which is essentially suffering adverse effects due to a sudden rise in your body temperature. In other words, you may experience overheating or even heatstroke. 

Symptoms you may suffer from hyperthermia include extreme sweating, feeling nauseous or dizzy, rashes on the skin, extreme fatigue, confusion, difficulty forming words, and sometimes unconsciousness. This condition is serious as it can be fatal if not treated promptly. 

The best way to prevent heatstroke is to remain hydrated, drinking lots of water or sports drinks such as Gatorade rather than sodas. Take plenty of breaks to cool down the body, limit exposure to heat during high humidity, wear light and lose clothing, and avoid engaging in fast-paced, rigorous activities. 

Bruises, Breaks, and Lacerations

Many landscaping tools employ some type of blade, from garden shears to chainsaws. Other tools, like hammers, are blunt yet require some degree of force to perform their roles. In the wrong hands, landscaping gear can quickly become weapons of self-destruction. 

Always take care when using tools, wearing proper protective equipment to ensure that the damage is minimal if you strike your skin with a device. It is easy to zone out when performing a repetitive activity, such as hammering or shearing hedges, but doing so puts you at risk of making a mistake that can lead to severe injury. 

Some equipment can do far more than nick or bruise; chainsaws, mower blades, axes, and other sharp objects can even amputate limbs, sometimes so quickly you may not even realize it happened at first. Remain focused when using dangerous equipment and read the instructions carefully before usage, ensuring you follow all proper procedures for safety purposes.