Gardening is an activity that some people do as a hobby in their free time while for others, it is an occupation. Despite seeming a quiet and sedate activity, it actually has a number of health and safety risks which can be hazardous to health so workers need to protect themselves appropriately.
Gardening health risks
In addition to the obvious risks such as falls from ladders or the dangers posed by sharp objects such as shears and secateurs, other health and safety issues such as risks to the respiratory system should not be underestimated, particularly dust dispersion.
A simple activity, which most people perform in their gardens, such as cleaning dead leaves can raise a quantity of hazardous dust.
Field activities such as hoeing and harrowing, or pruning trees and shrubs generate dust which gets inhaled by workers.
Dust is not the only source of risk for the respiratory system – other risks include things like the use of hazardous chemical substances which, if inhaled, are a health hazard.
Fertilizers, plant protection products and pesticides are often applied using spray guns or atomizers and workers tend to inhale large quantities of theses harmful substances if appropriate precautions are not taken.
Furthermore, working on abandoned or neglected land often infected by microorganisms, could lead to a variety of health problems if the dust which is generated gets inhaled.
Lastly, special precautions are necessary for people who are allergic to certain pollens or dust mites.
How to protect the respiratory system
In light of the risks mentioned it is clear that for a gardener the protection of the respiratory system should not be considered a secondary issue, but must be implemented in a systematic and appropriate manner depending on the potential hazards.
If gardening is done as a hobby, it is advisable to get information on gardening hazards and equip oneself with the necessary protection devices.
When gardening is an occupation, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide employee s with the protective devices required by law and train them on their proper use.
When the activity carried out involves a risk to the respiratory system, it is first of all necessary to delimit the area involved so that only workers wearing the proper personal protective equipment and respiratory protective devices may enter. In fact, workers in these risk areas need to protect themselves by wearing facemasks and/or respirators.
Among the various Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) available, there are those which cover the nose and mouth (half masks), those which also provide protection to the eyes and face (full facemasks) and those equipped with helmets or hoods which provide protection to the head, face and neck as well. Respiratory protective devices are designed to protect against dust, gases or both. If breathing in the workplace is particularly hazardous, a self-contained breathing apparatus to provide breathable air in an immediately dangerous to life or health atmosphere (IDLH) is to be used.
Wearers of Personal Protective Equipment should strictly adhere to the all users, storage and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturers, so as not to compromise the proper functioning of the equipment and consequently its level of protection.
The Kasco agricultural range of respiratory protective devices are recommended for the protection of gardeners when working with hazardous substances. There are different models of RPD available including those powered by rechargeable batteries and/or service machines with accessories on a belt at the waist or built-into the helmet.
Jan 22 2018
Gardening health risks to the respiratory system
Gardening is an activity that some people do as a hobby in their free time while for others, it is an occupation. Despite seeming a quiet and sedate activity, it actually has a number of health and safety risks which can be hazardous to health so workers need to protect themselves appropriately.
Gardening health risks
In addition to the obvious risks such as falls from ladders or the dangers posed by sharp objects such as shears and secateurs, other health and safety issues such as risks to the respiratory system should not be underestimated, particularly dust dispersion.
A simple activity, which most people perform in their gardens, such as cleaning dead leaves can raise a quantity of hazardous dust.
Field activities such as hoeing and harrowing, or pruning trees and shrubs generate dust which gets inhaled by workers.
Dust is not the only source of risk for the respiratory system – other risks include things like the use of hazardous chemical substances which, if inhaled, are a health hazard.
Fertilizers, plant protection products and pesticides are often applied using spray guns or atomizers and workers tend to inhale large quantities of theses harmful substances if appropriate precautions are not taken.
Furthermore, working on abandoned or neglected land often infected by microorganisms, could lead to a variety of health problems if the dust which is generated gets inhaled.
Lastly, special precautions are necessary for people who are allergic to certain pollens or dust mites.
How to protect the respiratory system
In light of the risks mentioned it is clear that for a gardener the protection of the respiratory system should not be considered a secondary issue, but must be implemented in a systematic and appropriate manner depending on the potential hazards.
If gardening is done as a hobby, it is advisable to get information on gardening hazards and equip oneself with the necessary protection devices.
When gardening is an occupation, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide employee s with the protective devices required by law and train them on their proper use.
When the activity carried out involves a risk to the respiratory system, it is first of all necessary to delimit the area involved so that only workers wearing the proper personal protective equipment and respiratory protective devices may enter. In fact, workers in these risk areas need to protect themselves by wearing facemasks and/or respirators.
Among the various Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) available, there are those which cover the nose and mouth (half masks), those which also provide protection to the eyes and face (full facemasks) and those equipped with helmets or hoods which provide protection to the head, face and neck as well. Respiratory protective devices are designed to protect against dust, gases or both. If breathing in the workplace is particularly hazardous, a self-contained breathing apparatus to provide breathable air in an immediately dangerous to life or health atmosphere (IDLH) is to be used.
Wearers of Personal Protective Equipment should strictly adhere to the all users, storage and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturers, so as not to compromise the proper functioning of the equipment and consequently its level of protection.
The Kasco agricultural range of respiratory protective devices are recommended for the protection of gardeners when working with hazardous substances. There are different models of RPD available including those powered by rechargeable batteries and/or service machines with accessories on a belt at the waist or built-into the helmet.
By Kasco Srl • Blog •