A serious injury on August 10, 2015 to a landscape company employee prompted an OSHA investigation and resulted in citations being issued for two willful, five serious, and one other-than-serious safety and health violations.

The employee of The Ground Guys suffered a double toe amputation when he lost control of the lawn mower he was operating on a wet grassy slope,

The amputation occurred less than three months after OSHA investigated another rollover incident in which an employee sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized.

OSHA inspectors determined the company failed to ensure that workers were using a rollover protective system and seat belts when operating the zero-turn mower, and issued a willful citation.

"By ignoring this vital safeguard, the company is taking unnecessary risks with the safety of its employees,” said OSHA’s Kevin Kulp.

Serious citations were also issued due to the company's failure to use the proper guards on the mower, chemical hazards, and the lack of a hazard communication program. The company was also cited for failing to prepare a written workplace hazard assessment.

Proposed penalties: $42,000