It should come as no surprise that COVID-19 is shaking everything around us. It is, afterall, a global pandemic. Thankfully, our industry has still been able to operate fairly smoothly. Still, it is wise and right to re-evaluate how we operate in order to ensure that we, and our clients, are completely safe. Below are a few best practices in the face of COVID-19:
- Wash your hands more frequently than ever. This is a bit of a no-brainer since it is proven that a simple soapy solution kills the virus, but what about when you’re on the go? Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are perfect for this. Utilize fuel stops and your lunch break to take advantage of nearby bathrooms to wash your hands.
- Wear a facemask upon arrival at your clients’ property. The virus can travel through the air, so a facemask definitely reduces your chances of contracting it. N95 face masks are hard to come by, so try using a light-weight neck gaiter. They can take some getting used to, but they are also helpful for blocking unwanted debris from getting in your nostrils.
- Wear gloves when making contact with anything on the client’s property. Some studies show that the virus can survive on surfaces such as metal and plastic for days. Think about all the gate handles, kids toys, and other items you touch at a client’s property. It’s just better to wear gloves if you have to make any contact on site. From there, make sure to not touch your face with the gloves after making contact with anything on site. If you have sanitizing spray, it would be smart to spray them down after each use to keep from spreading any germs from client to client.
- Accept payments other than cash or check using apps like Venmo, PayPal, or the Cash app. These are free to set up and are very simple to use. They offer free transactions with about a 2-3 day delay to get to your bank account. This eliminates the risk of passing germs on cash or checks whether you're picking up payment from the doormat or the mailbox.
- Lastly, don’t forget about social distancing. If you see a client, you can wave and smile at them without getting close. Stay home if you aren’t working and stay 6 feet away from everyone. This is definitely a difficult one to follow, especially if you are working with someone or have a crew. Still, you can be mindful about this. Have each person perform only one task (one mowing, one weed eating, etc.) until the equipment can be wiped down with disinfectant wipes. This could be done at the end of the day, or halfway through the day as long as you disinfect the equipment. Also, you should consider wearing facemasks in the truck unless you are going to have your crew members drive their own vehicles.
We’ll get back to more normal rhythms eventually, but let’s be smart right now and be as cautious as possible.
As always, the Block team is here to help. Never hesitate to reach out by emailing hello@getblock.co.
