The National Association of Landscape Professionals, Fairfax, Virginia, is monitoring the development, regulations and guidance surrounding the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Because the industry takes the safety of its employees and clients very seriously, the association wants to help companies deal with this situation.
In additional to providing both Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resources for COVID-19 on its website, NALP will be hosting a free webinar March 18 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern titled “Dealing with the Coronavirus in Your Landscape or Lawn Care Business.” The association has also created a Facebook group to serve as a space for landscape industry professionals to talk and share about their plans surrounding coronavirus.
Concerning worker safety, NALP has provided the following recommendations:
- Companies monitor and comply with all federal, state and local advisories and precautionary measures, closely monitor employee health and, as the CDC advises, actively encourage sick employees to stay home and notify their supervisors if an employee has had close with someone who has contracted COVID-19.
- COVID-19 is a recordable illness when a worker is infected on the job. OSHA recordkeeping requirements mandate covered employers record certain work-related injuries and illnesses on their OSHA 300 log.
- Be extra vigilant about disinfecting personal protective equipment.
The CDC suggests that employers plan to be able to respond in a flexible way to varying levels of severity of a possible outbreak and be prepared to refine business response plans as needed. NALP provides a list of considerations when planning a response, including preparing for employees’ absences, flexible work schedules, limiting employee meetings and more. For a full list, visit NALP’s website.
