Some of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. involve tree care and landscaping. Threats of electrical accidents, getting “hit by an object,” and falls from height are everyday hazards of the industry.

The fatal injury rate for loggers, for example, is 30-times the rate for all U.S. workers, according to a recent study.

In an effort to protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an enforcement program targeted at the tree-care and landscaping industry. From now through much of 2026, OSHA will increase safety investigations in these sectors.

In New England, there are about 5 tree and landscape industry worker deaths per year and many more serious injuries. Over the last 5 years, New England tree and landscaping industry deaths were due to workers being struck by trees, falling out of a tree, coming in contact with an electrical wire, or getting hit by a vehicle in a work zone. Almost half of the deaths happened in Massachusetts.

Workers most at risk

Many tree care and landscaping work-related fatalities are due to poor safety standards, OSHA says. When a person dies on the job, OSHA typically investigates the incident. If necessary, OSHA will assess fines and penalties. Among the New England deaths, OSHA says many of the fatally injured workers were not wearing protective clothing or using protective equipment.

Incidents were most likely to happen while employees were performing:

• Tree removal
• Tree trimming
• Line-clearance tree-trimming
• Working with a chipper
• Tree felling
• Loading and unloading trucks and trailers

Workers who are most exposed to these dangers include landscape construction, tree care services, lawn and cemetery care, right of way maintenance, seasonal property maintenance (such as snow removal), and weed control (except crops).

OSHA’s targeted program, also known as a Regional Emphasis Program or REP, instructs safety inspectors to keep an eye out for real-time practices that ignore safety standards. If such activities are observed, the agent can apply for quick supervisory approval to inspect the worksite. The result is often requirements and suggestions for safety improvements as well as the assessment of fees for alleged violations.

Common tree worker injuries

Fatal tree and landscaping accidents are a serious problem, but so too are the number of bad injuries affecting industry workers. Among the most common types of injuries affecting sector employees are:

• Cuts and amputations
• Overextension of muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons
• Brain damage and traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
• Neck, head, and spine injuries
• Sprains and bone fractures
• Hand and foot injuries

Among those most at risk of serious and fatal injuries are young and inexperienced workers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About half of all serious injuries in these sectors are suffered by workers ages 34 and younger. The smallest companies have the highest risk for employee injuries within the first 90 days of work.

Legal help is available

The risks tree care and landscaping workers face during a single shift are steep but significantly reduced when employers follow safety regulations. If you were recently injured or a loved one died in a work accident, you can schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to go over your legal rights and options.

For decades, our law firm has been fighting for injured workers in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. We pride ourselves on being compassionate and respectful to every client. And we put our experience to work for you to get the results you deserve.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

A construction accident attorney discusses the dangers

Many gains have been made in making construction worksites safer for all, but fatalities and serious injuries due to electrocution remain an issue.

More than half of all workplace electrocutions reported each year take place at a construction site, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Causes of construction worker electrocutions

In New England, there are about five electrocution-related deaths per year and many more serious injuries. The most common causes of worker electrical injuries include:

• Contact with power lines
• Lack of ground-fault protection
• Path to ground missing or discontinuous
• Equipment not used in the manner prescribed
• Improper use of extension and flexible cords

Misused equipment is a contributing factor in a lot of electrocution injuries at work. These situations include things like:

• Using multi-receptacle boxes designed to be mounted by fitting them with a power cord and placing them on the floor
• Using equipment outdoors that is labeled for use only in dry, indoor locations
• Using circuit breakers or fuses with the wrong rating for over-current protection, like using a 30-amp breaker in a system with 15-20 amp capabilities
• Using modified cords or tools like those that have removed ground prongs, faceplates, or insulation

Your right to a safe work environment

In the U.S., all employees have a right to a safe work environment for their chosen field. This means that a safe work environment for an office worker has different standards than those on a construction job site.

When working with electricity and around high voltage, your employer owes you a degree of safety as defined by federal and state law. In one year, the electrical contractor and wiring installer industry was assessed $1.4 million in penalties, according to OSHA.

Standards most frequently ignored in this industry usually involve:

• Aerial lifts
• Ladders
• Lack of safety training and education
• Stairways
• Respiratory protection
• Lack of fall protection
• Unavailable, inadequate, or damaged personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Lockout and tagging of circuits
• Hazard communication
• Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms

Fight for the compensation you deserve

Work injuries can be serious and life-altering incidents. Especially in instances of electrocution, recovery is often a long and expensive process. Workers’ compensation benefits are meant to help you through this time and cover your medical costs, but the process of obtaining benefits is often complex.

Navigating the workers’ comp system can be a challenge, and if you’re not careful, you could miss out on the benefits you’re entitled to. Depending on the details of your electrical accident, you may also be able to pursue compensation from a liable third party.

If you were seriously hurt or a loved one died in an accident at work, you can learn your legal rights and options by scheduling a free case evaluation with an experienced construction accident lawyer.

With three locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, our law firm has extensive experience helping injured workers recover the compensation they need and deserve.

To find out what we can do for you, contact us today.