Your Body Almanac

Landscaper

Mowing, digging and lifting outdoors in every kind of weather.

Landscaping is hard outdoor labor with loud, vibrating equipment. Sun and heat are constant companions, digging and lifting strain the back, and ticks and noise add quieter risks.

01

Heat and sun

Long days in direct sun raise the risk of heat illness in summer and of skin cancer over years. The work is heaviest exactly when the day is hottest.

SourcesHeat (OSHA)How to prevent skin cancer (American Academy of Dermatology)
Stay safe in the heatAs neededOn hot days, drink water often, take breaks in the shade and plan hard work for the cooler parts of the day. Rehydrate when you sweatAs neededDrink regularly during hot work or long workouts, and add electrolytes when you sweat for more than two hours. Wear sunscreen every dayDailyPut broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed skin each morning and reapply every two hours outdoors. Wear sun-protective clothingAs neededCover up with a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and tightly woven long sleeves when you are out in the sun.
02

Back strain from digging and lifting

Shoveling, hauling mulch and soil, and lifting stone and plants put repeated heavy loads on the lower back.

SourcesLandscape and horticultural services (OSHA)Low back pain (OrthoInfo, AAOS)
Lift with your legsAs neededPlan the lift, keep the load close and bend at the knees, not the waist. Strength-train twice a weekWeeklyWork all your major muscle groups on at least two days a week. Stretch your hamstringsDailyA lying hamstring stretch for the backs of your thighs, which tighten with sitting and running. Do glute bridgesDailyLift your hips off the floor to strengthen the buttock muscles that sitting tends to switch off.
03

Noise from mowers, blowers and saws

Leaf blowers, mowers, trimmers and chainsaws often run loud enough to damage hearing over a work day.

SourcesOccupational noise exposure (OSHA)Noise-induced hearing loss (NIH National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)
Protect your hearing from loud noiseAs neededWear earplugs or earmuffs around loud noise, turn the volume down and step away when you can. Get your hearing checkedYearlyAsk about a hearing test at your yearly checkup, especially if you work around noise or notice signs of hearing loss.
04

Ticks and stinging insects

Tall grass, brush and wooded edges are where ticks live, and lawn work regularly disturbs bees and wasps. Repellent does not keep bees or wasps away. If you know you are allergic, carry your epinephrine auto-injector. Call 911 for swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, or hives that spread fast.

SourcesLyme disease (NHS)Insect bites and stings (MedlinePlus)
Check for ticksAs neededAfter time in grass or woods, check your whole body, shower within two hours and dry your clothes on high heat. Use insect repellentAs neededUse an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin when mosquitoes or ticks are around.
05

Flying debris and tool injuries

Mowers and trimmers throw stones and sticks, and chainsaws and pruning tools cause serious cuts. Eye protection and proper tool handling prevent many injuries. Wear chainsaw chaps and a helmet with a face shield for saw work.

SourcesTree care (OSHA)Eye and face protection (OSHA)
Wear eye protectionAs neededPut on safety glasses, goggles or a face shield for work, chores and hobbies that throw debris, chemicals or sparks.

When to see a professional

Call 911 for confusion, fainting, or hot skin, whether dry or still sweating, in the heat. See a doctor for a rash or fever after a tick bite, a new or changing mole, or back pain with leg numbness. Call 911 for trouble breathing or throat swelling after a sting.