Identify safety concerns related to the turfgrass industry.
Identification should include
- explaining safety standards, regulations, and laws established by federal, state, and local laws/codes
- explaining PPE requirements
- describing safety hazard categories
- biological
- chemical
- physical
- ergonomic
- electrical
- recognizing examples of potential hazards
- cuts, abrasions, and amputations
- heat and cold stress, dangerous weather conditions, and poor air quality
- lifting and awkward postures
- slips, trips, and falls
- pinch and nip points
- allergies or sensitivities to plants, soil and its components, substrates and their components, insects, animals, supplies
- describing safety practices while
- operating motor vehicles
- using hand and power tools
- using pesticides and chemicals
- preparing soil
- irrigating
- constructing hardscapes
- planting trees, shrubs, and grasses
- performing lawn and landscape maintenance
- knowing the location of first aid kits
- demonstrating basic first aid treatment procedures (for cuts, punctures, burns, and various injuries)
- demonstrating knowledge of insurance, liability, and workman’s compensation
- explaining compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Links to an external site..
Teacher Resources:
- Hazards and Solutions, Landscape and Horticultural Services, OSHA Links to an external site.
- Pesticides Links to an external site., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes for Health
Process/Skill Questions:
- What types of tools, machinery and equipment do workers in the turfgrass industry use that can cause burns?
- What precautions should be taken to avoid burns?
- What types of PPE is required when working in the turfgrass industry??
- What potential zoonotic exposure risks exist in the turfgrass industry?
- What is the Agricultural WPS and how is it related to turfgrass employees?