U.S. Department of Labor Initiates Safety Initiative for Tree and Landscaping Workers in USVI and Surrounding Regions

The U.S. Department of Labor has recently launched a comprehensive safety program aimed at decreasing workplace injuries and fatalities in the tree and landscaping sectors within the U.S. Virgin Islands and other areas of Region 2. This initiative, which encompasses New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the USVI, represents a significant commitment to worker safety under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region 2.

The program, structured as a multi-phase effort, commences with an extensive outreach campaign directed at employers, employees, and key stakeholders. This phase is designed to heighten awareness regarding the inherent dangers associated with tree trimming and landscaping activities. Subsequently, OSHA will implement targeted safety and health evaluations focusing on tree trimming and removal, landscaping services, and site preparation contractors. These inspections are aimed at verifying compliance with safety regulations and diminishing the risk of hazardous exposures for employees.

The landscaping and tree-related industries are inherently hazardous, posing risks such as falls from trees and elevated platforms, dangers from falling branches and trees, and exposure to extreme heat, harmful chemicals, and potential electrocution. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022 highlighted the risks in these fields, citing 222 fatal workplace injuries and illnesses nationally.

OSHA Regional Administrator Richard Mendelson, based in New York, emphasized the department’s commitment to enhancing safety in these industries. “Our goal is to significantly improve workplace safety for workers in these sectors,” Mendelson stated. “Through a concerted effort focusing on these industries, we aim to assist employers in implementing effective safety management and health protection strategies, thereby mitigating the frequency and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses.”

Furthermore, OSHA has pledged to provide assistance in developing safety strategies and ensuring adherence to federal safety and health standards. This support, particularly beneficial to small-scale employers, will be offered at no cost, underlining the department’s dedication to workplace safety. The safety program is scheduled to continue until fall 2028, marking a substantial period for potential improvement in industry safety standards.