WORKING TO KEEP STAFF SAFE AND LANDSCAPING

In early January, it was a problem in China. In early February, it became a problem in Asia.  At the end of February, it became a global health concern.  In the beginning of March, it became an international travel problem.  Last week it became everyone's problem, including landscapers. 

We have been working diligently to understand the threat to our team as well as our company and are acting as proactively as we can to ensure our staff is kept as safe as possible at work.  We want to be able to continue to serve our client's landscape needs as well as we possibly can.  We are monitoring the Center For Disease Control, Oregon Health Authority guidelines and recommendations for businesses, as well as the recommendations from National Association of Landscape Professionals, BOMA, IREM, and CAI.  To date, it has not impacted our team or service, but our safety and contingency plans are continually being evaluated and updated as new information is available.  
OUR CURRENT PLAN IS AS FOLLOWS:

Pacific Landscape Management COVID-19 safety policy (effective 3/13/20)
This is a fluid situation being evaluated on an on-going basis and is subject to change at any point. 

 

1.  Promote hand hygiene by all employees:

 

a.  We have trained all and placed posters that encourage physical separation, hand hygiene, sneeze/cough etiquette to adhere to the following:

  • Employees to maintain physical separation and refrain from any touching
  • Wash stations have been set up and employees will wash hands when arriving and departing
  • Employees instructed to bring water jugs and we will provide hand soap in trucks for use in field
  • Employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available)
 

2.  Keep business units separate:


 

a.  We are keeping office staff separate from field staff:

        
    i.   Working to allow field employees to be able to operate without going in the shop or office
         ii.   Office staff will be encouraged to work from home when possible
         iii.   We have cancelled all group meetings, training, and huddles
 

3.Employees who appear sick will be sent home:


 

a.  Employees encouraged to stay home if sick

b.  Employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, or temperature of 100.4°) will be evaluated to be sent home immediately

          i.   Temperature scanners have been purchased to measure employee temperatures

c.  Employees sent home are encouraged to seek medical guidance

d.  Employees will be allowed to borrow up to 40 hours of personal time off if home sick

e.  Employees will be allowed to return to work 24 hours after fever or symptoms subside

 
4.  Any employees with a family member at home with COVID-19 will be sent home


 

a.  We will maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member

 
5.  Perform enhanced environmental cleaning:


 

a.  We have purchased sterilizing cleaners and disposable wipes for cleaning commonly used surfaces

b.  Crews are required to wipe down steering wheels, dashboards, door handles, and other truck surfaces

c.  Office personnel are to clean daily personal desks, office door knobs, and other commonly touched surfaces

d.  Janitorial service will be instructed to clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace

 
6.  Client meeting restrictions


 

a.  No touching, 3' separation

b.  We will be providing complementary hand sanitizer

c.  Cancelled networking attendance

 
7.  Quarantine any employee diagnosed with COVID-19


 

a.  A procedure is being put in place to quarantine any employee diagnosed with COVID-19

          i.   Employees and crews that they have worked with will be evaluated for quarantine based on the CDC recommendation at that point
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