To our valued clients and community,
We want to give you an update on our standing regarding the recent COVID-19 response in New Hampshire.
Beginning on March 28, New Hampshire is under “Stay at Home” orders intended to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This order prevents businesses from opening or conducting general operations unless deemed as an essential business. Belknap Landscape, based upon services provided, is an essential business under the current state designations.
The following statement by the National Association of Landscape Professional explains some reasons why landscaping is essential.
Landscape professionals maintain and protect the living environments around hospitals, government facilities, housing areas, parks, schools, and more; protecting public safety by:
- performing regular maintenance to mow, prune control weeds, and inspect for safety and security issues;
- performing essential treatments to reduce the spread of dangerous and deadly diseases through pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas;
- removing fallen trees and mitigating overhead hazards from wind effects;
- providing maintenance and plant removal to assist in fire abatement;
- managing invasive species; and
- keeping public and private pathways free from obstruction and potential risk.
Additionally, in many instances our operations include the construction or repair of properties to remove hazardous situations, improve egress, reduce standing water, address flooding or erosion concerns, and proactively address conditions that influence the safety and wellness of our clients and community.
Being an essential business carries a responsibility we take seriously, with safety being the paramount consideration. We are following OSHA guidelines in addition to those from other government and professional organizations to ensure the safety of our employees and the community. Fortunately our work enables our employees to maintain social distancing, utilize tools assigned only to them, and regularly sanitize themselves, their tools, and work area.
OSHA’s Guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 states “Lower exposure risk (caution) jobs are those that do not require contact with people known to be or suspected of being, infected with SARS-CoV-2 nor frequent close contact with (i.e., within 6 feet of) the general public. Workers in this category have minimal occupational contact with the public and other coworkers.” p.20.
We will also maintain the spirit of openness and collaboration with our employees that we’ve followed for decades. These values will facilitate employees bringing safety concerns to our attention while enabling us to best support one another. These values include the behavioral agreements below that encourage our employees to advocate for themselves and their peers.
- We commit ourselves to treat each other like we treat our customers.
- We celebrate each other’s successes, bear each other’s burdens, and collaborate by working with the perspectives of others to create better outcomes
- We are proactive in bringing concerns forward in a positive manner so that they can be examined, discussed, and resolved.
- We focus on business values, standards, and agreements, not on personal disagreements and/or frustrations
- We are all resources for each other, and from that standpoint, we work together regardless of title or position.
Through working together, our team will hold one another accountable to the processes that will keep them safe and curb the spread of this virus. This will allow us to best serve our clients and communities in following through on the functions which make our work essential. Our efforts and behaviors will continue to evolve as new guidance and best practices become available.
Finally, we feel it is important to consider ways that together we at Belknap Landscape, and those reading this message may show support for one another and our community. These quick messages from edenprojectcommunities.com and uschamberfoundation.org are great things we should all consider to help one another as we progress through this difficult time.
Please know we value your wellness and are here to help. Should you have questions, concerns, or need our assistance we will be available for you. The best way to reach us during this period is via email at [email protected], or you may call our office for urgent matters at 603-528-2798.
Stay Safe,
Everyone at Belknap Landscape Co.
