Hi Everyone,
We recently received an email from the Ottawa Board of Health notifying us that they are seeing an increase in COVID cases in the Landscape Community. Please be vigilant in following COVID protocols. Ensure your employees are as well. As a profession we have been very fortunate to be allowed to work. We do not want this to change. Here is a link to the Landscape Ontario COVID page.
Here is their advice:
"Strict adherence to infection prevention and control (IPAC) is needed to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. Further, staff must continue to treat each interaction with the assumption that the person they are interacting (i.e. clients and staff) with may have COVID-19. Please refer to the provincial Workplace Safety and Prevention Services landscaping guidance and these Tips and Resources document for a healthy and safe landscape season.
- Creating a safety plan, and have it available upon request (for example, to inspectors or law enforcement officers)
- Actively screen employees (use the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces or the new QR code for workplace/employees)
- Customers can also perform COVID screening with workers before allowing them onto their property.
- Make sure anyone indoors, including inside work vehicles, wears a mask or face covering, including workers who have to come within 2 metres of anyone else (with some exceptions)
- Make sure workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects the eyes, nose and mouth when they must come within 2 metres of anyone who is not wearing a mask or face covering or separated by plexiglass.
- Ensuring physical distancing is always maintained between all individuals, and/or that individuals are behind a barrier (e.g., plexiglass). If unable to maintain a minimum 2 metre distance, staff must wear properly fitted medical mask. Passengers should always sit in the back seat to maintain physical distance.
- Staff should also be aware that they need to maintain a 2 metre (6 feet) physical distance in the workplace including lunchrooms, during breaks, in smoking areas and any other place in which they may congregate. Staff should not share any food, drinks or cigarettes. This is even more important during activities where masks may need to be removed (e.g. eating).
- Following OPH’s workplace outbreak management procedures, developing contingency plans and communication with OPH.
- Conducting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices of high touch surfaces including work vehicles, tools and equipment.
- Practicing hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or any time masks and eye protection are put on or taken off.
- Staying home, yourself, if you are symptomatic, and seeking testing right away.
Both the Province of Ontario, as well as OPH, also have webpages for workplace information:"
