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more handwashings when sharing the equipment,” she says.


SOAP OR HAND SANITIZER? As for the debate over whether hand sanitizer or soap and water is best when it comes to handwashing, Baker says soap and water is ultimately better. “While both hand sanitizer and soap and water can remove viruses and certain bacteria, soap and water actually clean the hand, removing the dirt and debris that could trap viruses,” she says. “But hand sanitizer can often be easier to use since it can be used anywhere, and carried with the user, making it useful in certain situations.” Steel adds research has shown this virus has a lipid (fatty) barrier that sur- rounds and protects it. This barrier can be broken by soap bubbles in what is called the lathering process. “The more lather (bubbles) the more likely the barrier will be broken, and the virus splits open and is washed down the drain. By the way, warm water generates more bubbles, which translates into a greater positive effect against the virus. So now landscapers and lawn care work- ers have an even more important reason to wash away dirt and grime from the palms and backside of their hands, and from under their fingernails,” Steel says.


HOW TO MAKE PERSONAL HYGIENE A HABIT Personal hygiene shouldn’t only be practiced or paid attention to in the midst of a pandemic, so take advantage of this time to incorporate the importance of hygiene in your culture of safety. Baker says it should be emphasized in training, modeled by all levels of management and owners, and prioritized by ensuring workers have access to clean, appropriate facilities to wash hands. “By maintaining our new level of hy- giene policies, procedures, and practices, and providing sanitizing products and continued training and briefings on in- fectious diseases, we may be preventing another major outbreak of this virus or its mutation(s),” Steel says. Some of the ways to incorporate per- sonal hygiene into your company culture include having a company-wide, written policy on hygiene, providing workers time to practice personal hygiene through additional breaks and ensuring workers have access to proper handwashing facilities, and/or hand sanitizer if getting to a handwashing facility is not feasible.


“The policy would include a general statement from ownership/management on the importance of practicing good personal hygiene and procedures for following through on recognized hygiene practices now and in the future,” Steel says. “Prominent signage on sanitation practices should be placed at locations where all employees can read and adhere to them – in a language all employees can understand.”


Steel says frequent handwashing and sanitizing practices should be adopted at or in offices, restrooms, shops, equip- ment and product storage yards; and, at work sites contracted by the firm.


LEAD BY EXAMPLE Just like any other safety practice owners expect their workforce to follow, management needs to set good examples.


“If workers are expected to wash and sanitize hands, tools and surfaces at work, then company leadership should demonstrate and practice the same,” Steel says. “Company owners should encourage their employees to practice sanitizing guidelines while off the job and at home.”


MAKE HANDWASHING ACCESSIBLE Baker adds that that workplace needs to make it as easy as possible for workers to be able to wash their hands whenever they want to. She suggests having a handwashing station near the water bottle filling station making it easy for workers to wash their hands.


“If handwashing facilities aren’t readily available to people, making a trek to wash hands hardly seems worth it, unless someone is also going to the bathroom,” she says.


Companies should put handwashing


facilities in convenient locations, ensure workers have adequate breaks and are not penalizing a worker for taking the time to wash their hands as needed. “Often, handwashing facilities in a por- ta-potty aren’t a pleasant experience, and someone wants to spend the minimum amount of time in a porta-potty,” Baker says. “Therefore, other handwashing facilities should be provided as well. Don’t make workers rely on porta-potty sinks if you are trying to encourage them to up their handwashing frequency and quality.” However, Baker recognizes that many landscapers work alone and not all em- ployers can put in handwashing facilities at every jobsite. She suggests looking into building a temporary handwashing station instead. “This is something that every worker


could feasibly have in their work vehicle, as long as the parts and upkeep are pro- vided by the employer and they receive training on how to build it and transport it when out in the field doing work,” she says.


REMIND EMPLOYEES OFTEN The final way to drive home the importance of personal hygiene is through constant reminders. Steel encourages posting critical messages about personal hygiene in prominent locations and to not tolerate lapses in proper hygiene. He says companies need to be proactive when it comes to the safety and health of employees, their families, customers, and the community. “Practicing good hygiene is contagious


in itself,” Steel says. “And, your customers will notice your employees’ attention to good hygiene in their appearance at the work site. Good hygiene is an excellent habit to develop and follow now and down the road.” TLP


Overlooked Areas of Hygiene


surface, but the best rule of thumb is to simply clean these surfaces frequently. “I believe we overlook those commonly touched surfaces where the virus may be ‘sticking around.’ For example:


There is much that is still not understood about COVID-19 and varying reports on how long the virus can live on a


door handles to buildings, rooms, lockers, coolers, restrooms, vehicles; handles on tools and equipment; writing utensils; cellphones; and other surfaces,” Steel says. Baker says another hygiene step that may be overlooked is reminding workers they need to wash their hands or at least sanitize them after taking off gloves. “Outdoor workers are often wearing sunscreen, so hands should be washed before and after applying sunscreen since that requires touching their face,” Baker says. “If workers are wearing eye or hearing protection, hands should be washed before putting them on or adjusting them.”


National Association of Landscape Professionals 31


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