Job Hazard Analysis · Landscaping

Job Hazard Analysis: Hardscape and pavers

Residential or light commercial hardscape: layout, excavation with a compact track loader or skid steer, gravel base compaction, sand screeding, laying concrete pavers, cutting pavers with a gas cut-off saw, edge restraint, and polymeric joint sand. Work is outdoors in all seasons.

Published 2026-10-23

A general example for this task. Your JHA should reflect your crew, equipment and site — review it with a competent person before work starts.

Steps, hazards and controls

1. Locate utilities, lay out the area, and set up the work zone
- Striking buried gas, electric, or irrigation lines while diggingHigh
  - Call 811 before digging and wait until all lines are marked.
  - Ask the owner about private lines: irrigation, landscape lighting, propane, septic.
  - Hand-dig or use a shovel to expose lines within 18 in of the marks before using the machine.
- Homeowners, kids, or pets entering the work areaMedium
  - Mark the work zone with cones and caution tape before equipment starts.
  - Tell the owner when the loader and saw will run and ask them to keep kids and pets inside.
2. Excavate the area with the compact loader and haul out soil
- Worker struck or pinned by the skid steer while it backs up or turnsHigh
  - Keep everyone out of the machine's swing and travel path; no one on foot within 10 ft while it moves.
  - Use a spotter with agreed hand signals when backing near people, houses, or fences.
  - Check the backup alarm and seat bar before each shift; operator wears the seat belt.
  - Only trained, authorized workers operate the loader.
- Loader tipping on slopes or near the edge of a cutMedium
  - Drive straight up and down slopes with the bucket low; never travel across a steep slope.
  - Stay back from soft edges, retaining walls, and window wells.
3. Spread and compact the gravel base with the plate compactor
- Back and shoulder strain from shoveling and wheelbarrowing gravelMedium
  - Dump gravel with the loader as close to the area as possible to cut down hand hauling.
  - Fill wheelbarrows only two-thirds full and rotate shovel work every 30 minutes.
- Noise and hand-arm vibration from the plate compactorMedium
  - Keep the compactor's handle isolators in good shape; replace worn rubber mounts.
  - Rotate operators and take breaks from the compactor.
  - Wear earplugs or earmuffs while running the compactor.
- Carbon monoxide from gas engines in tight spaces like courtyards or along wallsMedium
  - Never run gas compactors or saws inside garages or enclosed areas.
  - Stop work and get fresh air if anyone gets a headache, dizziness, or nausea.
4. Install edge restraint and screed the bedding sand
- Knee injury from long periods kneeling on gravelLow
  - Use long-handled screed boards where possible to work standing.
  - Wear knee pads when kneeling.
- Hand injury from hammering spikes into edge restraintLow
  - Start spikes with light taps and keep your other hand back once the spike holds.
  - Wear work gloves and safety glasses.
5. Lay pavers and move pallets
- Back strain from repeated lifting and bending with paversMedium
  - Move pallets with the loader's forks or a pallet jack close to the laying edge.
  - Use paver clamps or tongs for large slabs; team-lift anything over 50 lb.
  - Lift with your legs, keep the load close, and don't twist; switch tasks often.
- Pallet straps snapping or paver stacks falling when banding is cutMedium
  - Set pallets on firm, level ground; cut straps while standing to the side.
  - Wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting bands.
6. Cut pavers with the gas cut-off saw
- Breathing silica dust from cutting concrete paversHigh
  - Use a saw with a built-in water feed and keep water running on the blade during every cut. No dry cutting.
  - Cut outdoors, downwind of the crew, at a set cutting station away from others.
  - Follow the company silica plan; if cutting more than 4 hours in the shift, wear an N95 or better respirator.
- Saw kickback or blade contact causing deep cutsHigh
  - Use the correct diamond blade, check it for cracks, and keep the guard in place.
  - Support the paver on a stable surface so the cut doesn't pinch the blade; never cut pieces held in your hand or on your knee.
  - Hold the saw with both hands and stand to the side of the blade.
- Loud noise and flying chipsMedium
  - Keep other workers at least 10 ft from the cutting station.
  - Wear hearing protection plus safety glasses and a face shield while cutting.
7. Compact pavers, sweep in polymeric sand, and clean up
- Polymeric sand dust irritating eyes, skin, and lungsMedium
  - Read the product label and SDS before use.
  - Pour bags low to the ground and sweep gently; mist with water as the label directs. Use a leaf blower only on low and with no one downwind.
  - Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask when spreading.
- Trips over tools, hoses, cords, and leftover paversLow
  - Stack leftover pavers on pallets and coil hoses at the end of each day.
  - Wash silica slurry off paving with water; don't dry sweep saw dust.

Steps, hazards and controls
Step	Hazard	Risk	Controls
1. Locate utilities, lay out the area, and set up the work zone	Striking buried gas, electric, or irrigation lines while digging	High	Call 811 before digging and wait until all lines are marked. Ask the owner about private lines: irrigation, landscape lighting, propane, septic. Hand-dig or use a shovel to expose lines within 18 in of the marks before using the machine.
	Homeowners, kids, or pets entering the work area	Medium	Mark the work zone with cones and caution tape before equipment starts. Tell the owner when the loader and saw will run and ask them to keep kids and pets inside.
2. Excavate the area with the compact loader and haul out soil	Worker struck or pinned by the skid steer while it backs up or turns	High	Keep everyone out of the machine's swing and travel path; no one on foot within 10 ft while it moves. Use a spotter with agreed hand signals when backing near people, houses, or fences. Check the backup alarm and seat bar before each shift; operator wears the seat belt. Only trained, authorized workers operate the loader.
	Loader tipping on slopes or near the edge of a cut	Medium	Drive straight up and down slopes with the bucket low; never travel across a steep slope. Stay back from soft edges, retaining walls, and window wells.
3. Spread and compact the gravel base with the plate compactor	Back and shoulder strain from shoveling and wheelbarrowing gravel	Medium	Dump gravel with the loader as close to the area as possible to cut down hand hauling. Fill wheelbarrows only two-thirds full and rotate shovel work every 30 minutes.
	Noise and hand-arm vibration from the plate compactor	Medium	Keep the compactor's handle isolators in good shape; replace worn rubber mounts. Rotate operators and take breaks from the compactor. Wear earplugs or earmuffs while running the compactor.
	Carbon monoxide from gas engines in tight spaces like courtyards or along walls	Medium	Never run gas compactors or saws inside garages or enclosed areas. Stop work and get fresh air if anyone gets a headache, dizziness, or nausea.
4. Install edge restraint and screed the bedding sand	Knee injury from long periods kneeling on gravel	Low	Use long-handled screed boards where possible to work standing. Wear knee pads when kneeling.
4. Install edge restraint and screed the bedding sand	Hand injury from hammering spikes into edge restraint	Low	Start spikes with light taps and keep your other hand back once the spike holds. Wear work gloves and safety glasses.
5. Lay pavers and move pallets	Back strain from repeated lifting and bending with pavers	Medium	Move pallets with the loader's forks or a pallet jack close to the laying edge. Use paver clamps or tongs for large slabs; team-lift anything over 50 lb. Lift with your legs, keep the load close, and don't twist; switch tasks often.
5. Lay pavers and move pallets	Pallet straps snapping or paver stacks falling when banding is cut	Medium	Set pallets on firm, level ground; cut straps while standing to the side. Wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting bands.
6. Cut pavers with the gas cut-off saw	Breathing silica dust from cutting concrete pavers	High	Use a saw with a built-in water feed and keep water running on the blade during every cut. No dry cutting. Cut outdoors, downwind of the crew, at a set cutting station away from others. Follow the company silica plan; if cutting more than 4 hours in the shift, wear an N95 or better respirator.
	Saw kickback or blade contact causing deep cuts	High	Use the correct diamond blade, check it for cracks, and keep the guard in place. Support the paver on a stable surface so the cut doesn't pinch the blade; never cut pieces held in your hand or on your knee. Hold the saw with both hands and stand to the side of the blade.
	Loud noise and flying chips	Medium	Keep other workers at least 10 ft from the cutting station. Wear hearing protection plus safety glasses and a face shield while cutting.
7. Compact pavers, sweep in polymeric sand, and clean up	Polymeric sand dust irritating eyes, skin, and lungs	Medium	Read the product label and SDS before use. Pour bags low to the ground and sweep gently; mist with water as the label directs. Use a leaf blower only on low and with no one downwind. Wear gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask when spreading.
7. Compact pavers, sweep in polymeric sand, and clean up	Trips over tools, hoses, cords, and leftover pavers	Low	Stack leftover pavers on pallets and coil hoses at the end of each day. Wash silica slurry off paving with water; don't dry sweep saw dust.

Required PPE

Safety glasses — ANSI Z87.1, at all times on site.
Face shield — Over safety glasses while running the cut-off saw.
Hearing protection — Earplugs or earmuffs when running or working near the saw, compactor, or loader.
Steel- or composite-toe work boots — At all times; protects against dropped pavers and equipment.
Work gloves — Cut-resistant gloves for handling pavers and cutting bands; nitrile-coated for polymeric sand.
Respirator — N95 or better when cutting more than 4 hours per shift or when dust is visible despite water.
High-visibility vest or shirt — When working near the loader, delivery trucks, or the street.
Knee pads — When screeding and laying pavers.

Training

Skid steer / compact loader operator training and authorization by the company.
Silica training: hazards, water controls on the saw, and the company written silica exposure control plan.
Safe use of gas cut-off saw: blade selection, inspection, guard, and kickback prevention.
Hazard communication: reading labels and SDS for polymeric sand, fuel, and sealers.
Heat illness prevention: water, rest, shade, and recognizing symptoms.
Safe lifting and hand signals for spotters.

Emergency

If someone is cut by the saw or struck by the loader: shut off the equipment, call 911 and give the site address, apply firm pressure to bleeding with a clean cloth, and do not move the injured person unless they are in danger. Send someone to the street to guide the ambulance.

Official sources

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General information, not legal advice. Templates and examples should be reviewed by a competent person before use. HardHat Binder is not affiliated with or endorsed by OSHA.