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LISBON -- As the weather begins to improve, Lori Barnes, environmental director at the Columbiana County Health Department, said they began receiving calls from people concerned about the work being done by landscapers.
Some of the concerns the health department received included whether or not the landscaping businesses were following social distancing and whether everything they were doing was essential work, like concerns over mulching. Barnes said it has been difficult at times to stay on top of all the changing policies for all the different businesses. When a dispute resolution committee met on April 16 in southern Ohio, it was determined mulching and other services provided by landscapers are considered essential businesses.
Even with that clarification, Barnes said it is important for landscapers to continue following COVID-19 protocol whenever possible. Some suggestions she made include allowing employees to stay home when sick, keeping everyone working six feet apart whenever possible, providing hand sanitizer for employees, disinfecting high touch surfaces and using personal tools whenever possible. Additionally, Barnes said companies should consider allowing employees to drive their own vehicles to the work site if possible, to avoid a large number in one vehicle. They should additionally provide personal protective equipment for those times they may have to work closely together.
Some additional guidelines given by the Ohio Landscaping Association includes staggering the start time of employees; regular sanitizing of trucks, equipment, breakrooms and restrooms; wearing gloves as much as possible and face masks when two or more employees are needed to lift something or work closely; and being prepared to communicate about the project with the customer and shut down if there are any concerns.
Barnes said while most of the work of landscapers is done outside, it is important for landscapers to use common sense to protect themselves and their families. She also suggested giving employees something in writing so they know the policy well and can safely go about their work.
"If it's not a necessity," she said, "maybe do it next month."
People around the county have been calling the health department with their concerns about landscapers and additional types of businesses, which is useful because they are not out of the office as much right now during the COVID-19 situation. At the same time, Barnes said getting the grass mowed and some landscaping work completed is important.
"We don't want people's grass being 10 feet high," Barnes said, adding that causes additional problems beyond COVID-19. She agreed we do not want elderly people and others unable to take care of their yards or property out trying to do it themselves.
This has been an issued the County Health Department and others across the state have been seeking to clarify since the COVID-19 crisis began. Originally, when the first stay at home order was issued, the local health department reached out to the Ohio Department of Health to clarify the orders. At that point, they were told essential landscaping includes weed control, rodent control, storm clean up and mulching.
However, when the extended orders were issued by the Ohio Director of Health Amy Acton, Barnes said there was not a lot of clarification given according to Barnes, except that for definitions of essential businesses they should look toward the Cyber Infrastructure Security Agency's list. That list defines landscapers as workers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, senior living facilities, any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response.