Three landscapers have died from mower accidents in the past month in the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s Southwest Region. The three deaths equal the total in the previous six years, Nola.com reports.
The deaths took place when riding mowers overturned into small bodies of water in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.
One fatal accident like this happened in each of the years 2015, 2014 and 2010, Eric Harbin, acting regional administrator for OSHA, told Nola.com.
“Less than one a year—but suddenly, in less than a month, we’ve had three,” he said.
OSHA is investigating all three accidents, which happened in the following locations:
- March 21—an employee of CleanScapes of Austin, Texas;
- April 1—Land Design of Little Rock, Ark.; and
- April 5—Bracy’s Nursery of Amite, La.
OSHA’s Harbin suggests keeping at least 5 feet away from any incline, if possible, and keeping ride-on mowers at least two mower-lengths away from water, according to the Nola.com report.
