CEO update for April 3, 2020 Email
Friday, April 03, 2020 04:00 PM

Today Governor Polis updated Coloradoans about the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He advised everyone to wear a non-medical mask when leaving home. Medical masks, especially N95 respirators, should be reserved for healthcare workers.

This latest guidance underscores the need for landscape workers to observe proper safety and sanitization protocols, especially maintaining social distancing, handwashing, and sanitizing surfaces. Social distancing is crucial to demonstrate your company’s professionalism and adherence to health and safety guidance during this time.

We have received reports that in other states, the designation of landscaping as an essential service has been overturned when landscape crews were observed not adhering to social distancing mandates. The public reported the behavior, companies were forced to eliminate all services, and landscaping was specifically named “non-essential” as a result.

We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your crew safe and healthy. Review the most recent guidelines from OSHA and CDC and be sure your workers are in compliance. In addition to the governor’s recommendation that all citizens wear a mask, OSHA has issued an interim rule regarding use of respiratory protection due to the shortage of N95 masks during the pandemic. Employers are encouraged to reassess work in order to decrease the need for N95 masks, and some alternatives to N95 masks have been suggested. Read the full interim rule.

In the meantime, we encourage you to focus on marketing and sales efforts. Communicate with clients, offer virtual meetings and planning sessions, and prepare for a time when your crew can return to full capacity. For clients who have postponed or canceled service, try to maintain relationships. Offer maintenance tips like ALCC’s Tip of the Week and let them know that you will be there for them when the situation slows down. ALCC can help you with email marketing during this time, sending those weekly tips branded with your company messaging. Contact Cherie Courtade at 720-465-7074 for more information on subscribing to this service.

Finally, ALCC has scheduled a webinar for Wednesday, April 15 at 3:00 PM to discuss ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Colorado landscape businesses. The webinar will cover topics including financial considerations, HR practices, insurance, and landscape company perspective and communications. Registration is now open and is limited to 150 attendees (a recording will be available after the webinar). We invite you to tell us what topics you’d like to see covered. Reply to this email or use this form to submit your suggestions.

As always, we will continue to update you on this evolving situation. Visit www.alcc.com/covid or visit our blog for the latest news.

Warm regards,

John

John McMahon | Chief Executive Officer
Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado