Nursery and Floriculture Growers, Landscapers and Retail Garden Centres are all working hard to provide the kind of excellence in service and plant material that Ontarians have come to know and expect. As more horticultural businesses are opening up, we thought it would be helpful to review some of the resources that have been developed by industry to keep customers and employees safe.
by Jen Llewellyn
“For companies and individuals returning to work in the post-Covid-19 era, it is absolutely essential to operate in a manner that protects employees, clients and the general public. It is not business as usual. Act like a safety company that happens to be in the landscape profession.” (source: Landscape Ontario Covid-19 Resources Hub)
For Safe Work Protocols CLICK HERE. You will find protocols for landscape contractors, garden centres, nurseries and much more. There are several links to government agencies with a focus on health and safety. Use the information compiled in the link as guidance to update your safety policies and procedures — and put them into action to keep everyone safe. Continue to check back here often as the situation is constantly evolving, or contact Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) for more resources.
For PPE and Safety Supplies CLICK HERE. Click on the link for a list of suppliers of PPE and safety products. Continue to check back here often as the list is constantly updated by the Landscape Ontario Covid-19 Taskforce.
For Posters and Signage CLICK HERE. Make it easy on yourself, your industry associations have developed the educational and informative graphics that you need to help enforce safe practices, many available en francais. Simply download and print.
For Mental Wellness CLICK HERE. Click on the link for an article that provides helpful strategies for coping with the many challenges of Covid-19. There are also links to several agencies and services that provide mental health support across Ontario. Landscape Ontario Covid-19 Resources Hub also has some great resources: CLICK HERE.
You can also access LO Webinars and Online Learning, Frequently Asked Questions and you can even ask your own unique questions to members of the LO Covid-19 Taskforce.
“It is an absolute privilege to be one of the first businesses allowed to operate”, says Landscape Ontario. “It is important that you do all you can to operate safely, responsibly and professionally.”
Yesterday, Landscape Ontario hosted a webinar titled Outdoor Work and Covid-19, featuring representatives from the Ministry of Labour, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. To watch the webinar: CLICK HERE.
Source: onnurserycrops