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Occupational Injuries among Groundskeepers, 1992-2002

by Stephen M. Pegula

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Originally Posted: December 20, 2005

The number of groundskeepers fatally injured on the job each year increased substantially over the 1992-2002 period, even

while workplace fatalities among all workers declined. Over the same period, the number of nonfatal injuries and illnesses

among groundskeepers decreased.

Over the period from 1992 to 2002, 1,117 groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm (henceforth to be referred to as

"groundskeepers"),1 were killed while at work, and 211,672 serious injuries2 were reported in the occupation.

Groundskeepers accounted for approximately 1 in every 60 workplace fatalities during that period and about 1 in every 100

nonfatal injuries.

The annual number of fatal occupational injuries to groundskeepers increased over the period (from 68 in 1992 to 146 in

2002), especially during the latter portion. The average number of fatalities incurred by groundskeepers during the first 5

years (1992-96) was 81; the same figure for the last 5 years (1998-2002) was 122. Over the same period, by contrast,

groundskeepers averaged more than 20,000 nonfatal injuries and illness cases involving days away from work per year

during 199296, but that figure had declined to 18,000 in 1998-2002. (See table 1.)

When compared with fatally injured workers in general, fatally injured groundskeepers were more likely to have been killed in

certain types of incidents, such as being struck by a falling object, falls, and electrocutions. Overexertion was the most

common event leading to a nonfatal injury among groundskeepers.

The annual number of Hispanic groundskeepers who were fatally injured while at work increased sharply during the study

period, from 15 in 1992 to 59 in 2002. Meanwhile, the annual number of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among

Hispanic groundskeepers fluctuated throughout the period, ranging from as low as 3,535 in 1994 to as high as 7,242 in 1998.

Data Sources And Definitions

The data in this analysis come from two programs within the BLS Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program. The data on

workplace fatalities are taken from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Since 1992, CFOI has collected,

aggregated, and disseminated data on fatal occupational injuries. CFOI requires that every case be confirmed by source

documents, such as death certificates, media accounts, medical examiner reports, and Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) reports. Each fatality must also be determined to have been work related.3

Nonfatal data are taken from the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) program, which collects data from

a sample of business establishments in the United States.4 The SOII data used in this analysis are for those cases that

required the injured worker to take at least 1 day away from work to recuperate.5 These data are collected using OSHA

recordkeeping rules. In 2002, OSHA changed its recordkeeping rules, which makes it difficult to compare 2002 data with data

from previous years.6

Groundskeepers are often called upon to perform a wide variety of tasks, which can include landscaping, pruning trees,

mowing lawns, and maintaining the general upkeep of a property. These tasks may require the groundskeeper to use many

different types of tools, such as tractors, saws, lawnmowers, chippers, mulchers, and other powered and nonpowered

implements. Some of these tasks and the tools used to perform them can be dangerous. Inclement weather also can present

a danger to groundskeepers, since the vast majority of their work is performed outdoors. Finally, the work of groundskeepers

can be physically demanding, requiring much bending, lifting, and shoveling.7
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Fatality Rates And Days Away From Work Due To Injury

While the fatality rate--the number of fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers employed in a given group8--for all

workers declined during the 1992-2002 period; the fatality rate for groundskeepers more than doubled, increasing from 7.3 in

1992 to 15.0 in 2002.9 Because employment among groundskeepers remained relatively steady, the increase in the fatality

rate is primarily attributable to an increase in the number of fatalities in the occupation. (See table 2.)

For 9 out of the 11 years of the study period, the median number of days away from work for nonfatally injured

groundskeepers was 5.0. Throughout the period, the median for groundskeepers remained equal to or less than the median

for all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. While 17 percent of the groundskeeper cases involved missing only 1 day of

work, another 17 percent involved missing 31 or more days of work. (See table 3.)

Demographics

Approximately 98 percent (1,097) of all groundskeepers who were fatally injured from 1992 to 2002 were men, compared

with 92 percent of all fatally injured workers. Fatally injured groundskeepers tended to be more clustered in the 20- to 44-year

age category than fatally injured workers in general: 61 percent of fatally injured groundskeepers were aged 20 to 44,

compared with 54 percent of all fatally injured workers. Among workers with serious nonfatal injuries, 75 percent of

groundskeepers were aged 20 to 44, while 69 percent of all seriously injured workers were in that age group.

Hispanic groundskeepers incurred a disproportionate number of fatal work injuries relative to their share of all workplace

fatalities during the 1992-2002 period. While Hispanic workers accounted for 27 percent (302) of the fatalities among

groundskeepers, they accounted for only 11 percent of workplace fatalities in general. Much of this disparity is due to the

employment patterns of Hispanics in this occupation. While Hispanic workers constituted 28 percent of employed

groundskeepers from 1992 to 2002, they made up only 10 percent of workers in general during that period.10 For those 

nonfatal cases in which race and ethnic origin were reported, Hispanics accounted for nearly a quarter of all seriously injured

groundskeepers, and about a tenth of all nonfatal injury and illness cases.11

The number of workplace fatalities among Hispanic groundskeepers rose sharply during the period, especially in the latter

years. During the first 4 years of the study, the average number of Hispanic groundskeepers killed on the job annually was

20; during the last 4 years of the study, the average was 40. This increase in fatalities among Hispanic groundskeepers in the

latter 4-year period mirrors a similar increase in the number of Hispanics employed as groundskeepers during those years.

Many of the Hispanic workers killed on the job during the study period were immigrants. In fact, the annual number of fatally

injured groundskeepers who were born outside of the United States more than quadrupled, from 12 in 1992 to 56 in 2002.

The majority of these fatally injured, foreign-born groundskeepers were born in Latin America, primarily Mexico.12

Event Or Exposure

Fatal events. The events leading to occupational fatalities among groundskeepers are quite varied. (See table 4.)

Transportation incidents, contact with objects and equipment, falls, and exposure to harmful substances or environments

each account for a sizeable share of fatal workplace injuries among groundskeepers.13

A little more than 30 percent (340) of the fatal occupational injuries incurred by groundskeepers were due to transportation

incidents. Of those, 40 percent (136) were nonhighway incidents--most prominently, overturned vehicles. The majority of

these incidents involved tractors, and in most cases the decedents were using tractors to mow grass at the time of the fatal

incident. About a third (112) of the transportation incidents were highway incidents. Half (56) of these highway incidents were

collisions between vehicles, and 21 percent (24) were due to jack-knifed vehicles. Finally, one-fourth (85) of the

groundskeepers who were fatally injured in a transportation incident were struck by a vehicle or mobile equipment.

Approximately a quarter (265) of all fatally injured groundskeepers were killed due to contact with objects and equipment. A

little less than 60 percent (157) of these fatalities were caused by a groundskeeper being struck by a falling object, which was

almost always a tree, log, or branch. Falls accounted for 21 percent (239) of all fatal occupational injuries among
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groundskeepers. In many cases involving a fall, the decedent either fell from a tree or fell from a ladder or other piece of

equipment after being struck by a tree branch. Although a cause could not be ascertained for all falls from trees, some of the

more frequent precipitating events that were mentioned were the worker’s safety line being inadvertently cut or breaking, the

tree branch the worker was sitting on or tied off to being inadvertently cut or breaking, and the entire tree breaking or falling

over.

Nearly 20 percent (218) of the fatal work injuries suffered by groundskeepers were caused by exposure to harmful

substances or environments. Chief among these types of fatalities were electrocutions, which constituted more than 60

percent (134) of these fatalities. The vast majority of the electrocutions were due to contact with overhead power lines.

Another 23 percent (51) of the fatalities that resulted from exposure to harmful substances or environments were due to

drowning.14

Nonfatal injuries. Groundskeepers who incurred a nonfatal injury or illness were very similar to all nonfatally injured workers

in terms of the event that precipitated the injury, the type of injury inflicted, and the part of body affected. Among

groundskeepers who suffered a nonfatal injury or illness, overexertion was the most frequently cited cause (23 percent),

particularly while lifting (13 percent). These figures mirrored those of nonfatally injured workers as a whole. Another 17

percent of the nonfatal injuries to groundskeepers were due to a worker being struck by an object. Eight percent of the

injuries to groundskeepers were caused by a fall on the same level, and falls to a lower level accounted for 5 percent of the

injuries.

The most common nonfatal injury incurred by groundskeepers was sprains and strains, which accounted for almost 40

percent of their injuries, which was also the most common injury suffered by all nonfatally injured workers. Cuts, lacerations,

and punctures (15 percent); bruises and contusions (7 percent); and fractures (7 percent) were also common among

groundskeepers. Soreness and pain, without a specified injury, accounted for 6 percent of the total. For groundskeepers, the

back was the body part most frequently injured, as it was for nonfatally injured workers in general, and accounted for almost

one-fourth of the injury locations. Injuries to fingers accounted for another 10 percent of the total, while knee injuries (7

percent) and eye injuries (6 percent) were also common.

Location And Worker Activity For Fatal Work Injuries

More than 30 percent (352) of the fatal occupational injuries incurred by groundskeepers over the 1992-2002 period occurred

at a private residence, which includes homes, apartments, and residential construction. Another 22 percent (250) were killed

while working at a street or highway. Recreation and sports areas, which include golf courses, accounted for 6 percent (66) of

the fatalities.

In terms of geography, 15 percent (172) of the groundskeeper fatalities occurred in California, while 10 percent of all

workplace fatalities occurred in that State. Other States with a relatively large number of fatal occupational injuries to

groundskeepers include Florida, with 11 percent, and Texas, with 9 percent. (See table 5.)

More than one-third (380) of the fatally injured groundskeepers were killed while logging, trimming, and pruning. An additional

26 percent (295) were killed while performing vehicular and transportation operations, most notably riding in or on a truck,

driving or operating a farm vehicle, and walking in or near a roadway.

Industry

Nearly all (1,027) fatally injured groundskeepers worked in the private sector. (See table 4.) Of these, 78 percent (803)

worked in the landscape and horticultural services industry group.15 Of the fatalities in this group, 51 percent (410) were

incurred by groundskeepers in the ornamental shrub and tree services industry, and 34 percent (272) were incurred by

groundskeepers in the lawn and garden services industry.

The industry group with the most fatal work injuries to groundskeepers outside of landscape and horticultural services was

miscellaneous amusement and recreation services. Approximately 6 percent of all private sector groundskeepers who

incurred a fatal occupational injury worked in this industry group, which includes membership sports and recreation clubs,
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public golf courses, and amusement parks. Additionally, 8 percent (90) of fatally injured groundskeepers were employed by a

government entity, most often a local government.

Most nonfatally injured groundskeepers were employed in the private agricultural, forestry, and fishing industry, or in the

services industry, which includes the landscape and horticultural services group. Interestingly, almost 13 percent were

employed in the private finance, insurance, and real estate industry.

Conclusion

Relative to all workers who incurred a fatal work injury over the 1992-2002 period, fatally injured groundskeepers were more

likely to be Hispanic. These workers were also more susceptible to certain types of fatal events--among them being struck by

a falling object, falls to a lower level, and electrocutions--than fatally injured workers in general. (See table 6.) Although the

number and rate of fatal occupational injuries to all workers declined over the period, the number and rate of fatal

occupational injuries to groundskeepers increased steadily. During the same period, on average, nearly 20,000

groundskeepers per year incurred a nonfatal occupational injury. Like all workers who suffered a nonfatal injury or illness,

these groundskeepers were particularly susceptible to sprains and strains and injuries to the back.

Stephen M. Pegula

Economist, Office of Safety, Health, and Working Conditions, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Telephone: (202) 691-6166; E-mail: Pegula.Stephen@bls.gov

Notes

Acknowledgment: The author would like to thank Gregory Fayard, Katharine Newman, Scott Richardson, and Janice Windau

for their assistance in the preparation of this article.

1 From 1992 to 2002, the BLS Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program used 1990 Census Bureau occupation codes to classify

occupations. In this coding structure, groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm, are coded 486. In 2003, the IIF program began using the 

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system to define occupation. Under this system, groundskeepers are classified in the occupational

group Grounds Maintenance Workers, which comprises landscaping and groundskeeping workers; pesticide handlers, sprayers, and

applicators, vegetation; and tree trimmers and pruners. More information on this occupational group can be found here: http://www.bls.gov/soc/

soc_n3b0.htm. Due to the differences in the Census Bureau and SOC codes, BLS considers the change in occupational coding systems to

constitute a break in series and advises data users not to make comparisons across different occupational coding systems.

2 "Serious injuries" are the cases that involve a worker missing at least 1 day away from work due to the injury. See note 5 for more

information.

3 A work relationship exists if an event or exposure results in a fatal injury or illness to a person was (1) ON the employer’s premises and the

person was there to work; or (2) OFF the employer’s premises and the person was there to work, or the event or exposure was related to the

person’s work status as an employee. The employer’s premises include buildings, grounds, parking lots, and other facilities and property used

in the conduct of business. Work is defined as legal duties, activities, or tasks that produce a product as a result; and that which is done in

exchange for money, goods, services, profit, or benefit.

4 SOII data cover private wage and salary workers. For more information on SOII, see BLS Handbook of Methods, "Survey of Occupational

Injuries and Illnesses," on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/homch9_a2.htm#Part%20I.%20Survey%20of%20Occupational

%20Injuries%20and%20Illnesses. For information on the reliability of the estimates, see Handbook, "Reliability of Estimates," at http://

www.bls.gov/opub/hom/homch9_i.htm#Reliability%20of%20Estimates. 5 For more information on cases involving days away from work, see the page entitled "Occupational Safety and Health Case and

Demographic data," part of the BLS website and available at http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcase1.htm.

6 Due to the OSHA recordkeeping changes, BLS discourages data users from comparing 2001 and 2002 SOII data. This analysis makes no

such direct comparisons; rather, the 2002 results show data for 1 out of 11 years in the study. No year-to-year changes are examined. For

more information on the impact of OSHA’s recordkeeping changes, see William J. Wiatrowski, "Occupational injury and illness: new

recordkeeping requirements," Monthly Labor Review, December 2004, pp. 10-24; on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/12/

art2full.pdf.

7 For more information on this occupation, see BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Grounds Maintenance Workers"; on the Internet at

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos172.htm.

8 The fatality rate is calculated as follows: Fatality Rate = (N/W) *100,000, where N is the number of fatal occupational injuries in a group, and

W is the number of workers employed in that group. For employment, CFOI uses data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Since the
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CPS tracks only workers who are aged 16 years and older, the fatality rates shown are for workers aged 16 years and older. Fatally injured

workers with an unknown age were excluded from fatality rate calculations.

9 In order to calculate the fatality rate for all workers, employment data for the resident U.S. military obtained from the Department of Defense

are added to the CPS employment data, which are for civilian employment only.

10 Employment data are from the Current Population Survey (CPS). 11 Approximately 1 in 4 cases does not report race or ethnic origin.

12 For more information on fatal occupational injuries incurred by foreign-born workers, see Katherine Loh and Scott Richardson, "Foreignborn workers: trends in fatal occupational injuries, 1996-2001," Monthly Labor Review, June 2004, pp. 42-53; on the Internet at http://

www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/06/art3full.pdf. See also Scott Richardson, "Fatal work injuries among foreign-born Hispanic workers," Monthly

Labor Review, October 2005, pp. 63-67; on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2005/10/ressum.pdf.

13 The IIF program defines event using the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS), on the Internet at http://

www.bls.gov/iif/oshoiics.htm.

14 Some additional drownings occurred while the groundskeeper was using a riding lawnmower, which then overturned into a canal or pond.

These are classified as nonhighway transportation incidents.

15 From 1992 to 2002, the IIF program used the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system to define industry. The landscape and

horticultural services industry group is SIC code 078. For more information on the SIC system, see Standard Occupational Classification

Manual: 1987 (Office of Management and Budget, 1987); on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sic_manual.html. For a recent

analysis of fatalities in this industry, see William J. Wiatrowski, "Fatalities in the Ornamental Shrub and Tree Services Industry," Compensation

and Working Conditions Online, July 26, 2005; on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/sh20050719ar01p1.htm.

Table 1. Occupational injuries and illnesses to groundskeepers, 1992-2002

Year Fatal injuries Nonfatal injuries and illnesses(1)

1992 68 21,328

1993 87 21,268

1994 79 20,486

1995 78 21,382

1996 91 18,468

1997 104 18,595

1998 108 22,995

1999 106 18,854

2000 130 16,036

2001 120 17,398

2002 146 14,862

Footnotes:

(1) Data from 2002 is not directly comparable to data from previous years due to changes in OSHA recordkeeping rules.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Program (IIF); in cooperation with State,

New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.
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Table 2. Occupational injuries and illnesses, employment, and fatality rate of groundskeepers, 1992-2002

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Nonfatal

injuries and

illnesses(1)

21,328 21,268 20,486 21,382 18,468 18,595 22,995 18,854 16,036 17,398 14,862

Fatal

injuries 68 87 79 78 91 104 108 106 130 120 146

Employment 937,000 890,000 864,000 832,000 875,000 856,000 924,000 943,000 870,000 876,000 973,000

Fatality

rate(2) 7.3 9.8 9.1 9.4 10.4 12.1 11.6 11.2 14.8 13.6 15.0

Footnotes:

(1) Data from 2002 is not directly comparable to data from previous years due to changes in OSHA recordkeeping rules.

(2) The fatality rate is calculated by using the equation (N/W) x 100,000, where N is the number of fatal occupational injuries and W is the number of

workers. Employment data are taken from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Since CPS counts only workers age 16 and above, only fatalities to

those age 16 and above are included in the rate calculation.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Program (IIF); in cooperation with State, New York

City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.

Table 3. Percentage distribution of nonfatal occupational injuries to groundskeepers by days of work missed,

1992-2002

Case type Percent

Cases involving 1 day 17

Cases involving 2 days 14

Cases involving 3-5 days 22

Cases involving 6-10 days 14

Cases involving 11-20 days 10

Cases involving 21-30 days 6

Cases involving 31 or more days 17

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), in cooperation with

State, New York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.
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Table 4. Fatal occupational injuries to groundskeepers by selected characteristics, 1992-2002

Characteristics Fatal injuries

Total 1,117

Employee Status

Wage and salary workers(1) 890

Self-employed(2) 227

Sex

Men 1,097

Women 20

Age

16 to 17 years 18

18 to 19 years 35

20 to 24 years 142

25 to 34 years 276

35 to 44 years 260

45 to 54 years 165

55 to 64 years 128

65 and over 90

Race or ethnic origin (3)

White 662

Black or African American 116

Hispanic or Latino 302

Event or Exposure

Transportation incidents 340

Highway 112

Collision between vehicles or mobile equipment 56

Noncollision 36

Jack-knifed or overturned, no collision 24

Nonhighway 136

Noncollision accident 125

Overturned 74

Worker struck by vehicle or mobile equipment 85

Assaults and violent acts 51

Contact with objects or equipment 265

Footnotes:

(1) May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation.

(2) Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated businesses, or members of partnerships.

(3) In this study, the racial categories "White" and "Black or African American" do not include persons from the ethnic category "Hispanic or

Latino." Hispanic or Latino persons may identify themselves racially as white, black, or another race category.

(4) n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

(5) Includes fatalities to workers employed in governmental organizations, regardless of industry.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Totals for major categories may include

subcategories not shown separately.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in cooperation with State, New

York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.
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Characteristics Fatal injuries

Struck by object 209

Struck by falling object 157

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects 46

Falls 239

Fall to lower level 232

Fall from ladder 34

Fall to lower level, n.e.c.(4) 156

Exposure to harmful substances or environments 218

Contact with electric current 134

Contact with overhead power lines 114

Oxygen deficiency 52

Drowning, submersion 51

Industry

Private industry 1,027

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing 810

Agricultural services 805

Landscape and horticultural services 803

Landscape counseling and planning 47

Lawn and garden services 272

Ornamental shrub and tree services 410

Finance, insurance, and real estate 40

Real estate 40

Services 127

Amusement and recreation services 58

Miscellaneous amusement, recreation services 57

Public golf courses 19

Membership sports and recreation clubs 29

Government(5) 90

Local government 73

Footnotes:

(1) May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation.

(2) Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated businesses, or members of partnerships.

(3) In this study, the racial categories "White" and "Black or African American" do not include persons from the ethnic category "Hispanic or

Latino." Hispanic or Latino persons may identify themselves racially as white, black, or another race category.

(4) n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

(5) Includes fatalities to workers employed in governmental organizations, regardless of industry.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Totals for major categories may include

subcategories not shown separately.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in cooperation with State, New

York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.
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Table 5. Fatal occupational injuries to groundskeepers by State of incident, 1992-2002

State Fatal injuries

California 172

Florida 120

Texas 103

Georgia 69

North Carolina 56

Pennsylvania 41

Ohio 37

Virginia 36

New Jersey 33

Missouri 32

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in cooperation with State, New

York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.

Table 6. Percentage distribution of fatal occupational injuries to groundskeepers and all workers, 1992-2002

Characteristics Groundskeepers All workers

Total 1,117 67,373

Percentage 100 100

Employee Status

Wage and salary workers(1) 80 80

Self-employed(2) 20 20

Sex

Men 98 92

Women 2 8

Age

16 to 17 years 2 1

18 to 19 years 3 2

20 to 24 years 13 8

25 to 34 years 25 21

35 to 44 years 23 25

Footnotes:

(1) May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation.

(2) Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated businesses, or members of partnerships.

(3) In this study, the racial categories "White" and "Black or African American" do not include persons from the ethnic category "Hispanic or

Latino." Hispanic or Latino persons may identify themselves racially as white, black, or another race category.

(4) n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

(5) Includes fatalities to workers employed in governmental organizations, regardless of industry.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Totals for major categories may include

subcategories not shown separately.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in cooperation with State, New

York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.
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Characteristics Groundskeepers All workers

45 to 54 years 15 21

55 to 64 years 11 13

65 and over 8 8

Race or ethnic origin (3)

White 59 73

Black or African American 10 10

Hispanic or Latino 27 11

Event or Exposure

Transportation incidents 30 42

Highway 10 22

Collision between vehicles or mobile equipment 5 11

Noncollision 3 6

Jack-knifed or overturned, no collision 2 5

Nonhighway 12 6

Noncollision accident 11 5

Overturned 7 3

Worker struck by vehicle or mobile equipment 8 6

Assaults and violent acts 5 18

Contact with objects or equipment 24 16

Struck by object 19 9

Struck by falling object 14 6

Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects 4 5

Falls 21 11

Fall to lower level 21 10

Fall from ladder 3 2

Fall to lower level, nec(4) 14 2

Exposure to harmful substances or environments 20 9

Contact with electric current 12 5

Contact with overhead power lines 10 2

Oxygen deficiency 5 2

Drowning, submersion 5 1

Industry

Private industry 92 90

Footnotes:

(1) May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation.

(2) Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated businesses, or members of partnerships.

(3) In this study, the racial categories "White" and "Black or African American" do not include persons from the ethnic category "Hispanic or

Latino." Hispanic or Latino persons may identify themselves racially as white, black, or another race category.

(4) n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

(5) Includes fatalities to workers employed in governmental organizations, regardless of industry.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Totals for major categories may include

subcategories not shown separately.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in cooperation with State, New

York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS

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Characteristics Groundskeepers All workers

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing 73 13

Agricultural services 72 3

Landscape and horticultural services 72 2

Landscape counseling and planning 4 <1

Lawn and garden services 24 1

Ornamental shrub and tree services 37 1

Finance, insurance, and real estate 4 2

Real estate 4 1

Services 11 12

Amusement and recreation services 5 1

Miscellaneous amusement, recreation services 5 1

Public golf courses 2 <1

Membership sports and recreation clubs 3 <1

Government(5) 8 10

Local government 7 5

Footnotes:

(1) May include volunteers and other workers receiving compensation.

(2) Includes paid and unpaid family workers, and may include owners of incorporated businesses, or members of partnerships.

(3) In this study, the racial categories "White" and "Black or African American" do not include persons from the ethnic category "Hispanic or

Latino." Hispanic or Latino persons may identify themselves racially as white, black, or another race category.

(4) n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.

(5) Includes fatalities to workers employed in governmental organizations, regardless of industry.

NOTE: Fatality totals for 2001 exclude fatalities resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Totals for major categories may include

subcategories not shown separately.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in cooperation with State, New

York City, District of Columbia, and Federal agencies.

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