# Job Hazard Analysis: Hardscape and pavers URL: https://hardhatbinder.com/en/jha/landscaping/hardscape Last updated: 2026-10-23 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. > 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 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. - **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. - **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. - **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 - [29 CFR 1926.1153](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.1153) — Respirable crystalline silica - [29 CFR 1926.602](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.602) — Material handling equipment - [29 CFR 1926.300](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.300) — Hand and power tools — general requirements - [29 CFR 1926.101](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.101) — Hearing protection - [29 CFR 1926.102](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.102) — Eye and face protection - [29 CFR 1926.59](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.59) — Hazard communication - [29 CFR 1926.21](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/section-1926.21) — Safety training and education - [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure) — Heat — hazard recognition and prevention --- Source: HardHat Binder, operated by Leadspire LLC. Templates to be reviewed by a competent person before use; not legal advice; not affiliated with OSHA.