Prep for the busy season: Spring cleaning tips for your horticultural business

Here are some basic practices you can put in place to help reduce risks and keep your property tidy.

• Clean up spills: Immediately wipe up spills, accidents, and water overflow to help prevent customer and employee falls

• Organize materials: Stack boxes and displays neatly, with heavy or bulky items on the bottom

• Unclutter walkways: Move plants, displays, and low-hanging items from traffic areas

• Keep doors closed: Shut cabinet doors and drawers—reorganize items if needed to get them to close properly

• Put equipment away: Store items such as garden hoses and tools after use—never leave them in walkways

• Keep floors free of clutter: Keep stairways, aisles, and exits free of boxes, tools, and other items

• Throw garbage out: Properly dispose of waste and scraps in appropriate receptacles

• Avoid overloading: Don't overfill bins, racks, or storage areas

• Observe manufacturer guidelines: Follow equipment cleaning and maintenance routines

• Maintain good lighting: Provide a better atmosphere and visibility with natural and electrical light

• Protect safety equipment: Keep sprinkler heads, fire extinguishers, and exit paths free of obstructions

• Check for drips: Make sure pipes and containers that hold hazardous substances aren’t leaking

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the biggest reasons for injuries and resulting claims—including workers’ compensation—in our industry. Train your employees on the importance of spotting, reporting, and cleaning up slip-and-fall hazards.

Remind your employees to take immediate action when they notice potential hazards:

• Post clear warnings informing customers and employees that floors may be slippery

• Cordon off the area

• Clean up or address as soon as possible

Water is one of the biggest and most common hazards. Display wet floor signs (with multiple languages if possible) with pictures in areas where water is in use or present.

Have squeegees on hand to push pooling water into the drain or out of the way. Use mats or other non-slip surfaces in areas where water is likely to be present.

In addition, train your employees to identify and report any algae that may begin to grow, as it’s extremely slippery. Algae is a common hazard when frequent watering takes place, especially when fertilizer is present.

There are additional actions you can take to help prevent hazards:

• Perform regular inspections: Assign employees to look for hazards as part of their daily duties

• Train your employees: Demonstrate proper storage techniques, safe handling of materials, and cleanup procedures

• Document your efforts: Put what you teach in writing via employee notices, new-hire guides, and company records

Hold regular training sessions and develop a safety team to identify any new issues. It can help you avoid costly workers' compensation and liability claims.

Cleaning up your property and providing a safer work environment can have benefits that extend beyond a reduction in claims. Here are a few examples:

• Improved control of tools and materials

• Better plant health

• More efficient use of space

• Reduced property damage

• Less janitorial work

• Improved morale

• Decreased fire hazards

• Lower worker exposures to hazardous substances

Another way to help protect your business is to ensure you have the proper business insurance coverage in place for your operation.

At Hortica®, we can assist you in developing a policy for your business, including risk assessments, risk mitigation plans, and safety training.

We can help you avoid hazards with various safety risk management programs, including:

• On-site consultations

• Thermographic inspections

• Targeted safety presentations

• Training materials

• Annual claims analysis

If you have questions or would like to learn more, contact us. We’re here to help.

How do you choose the right insurance company for your business? Explore types of coverages, risk management programs, and cost from your prospective provider. Here’s what else you should look for.

Keeping your business safe also means watching out for cyber criminals. Here’s a guide to common cybercrimes and how to avoid them.

Part of your cleanup efforts might include updating your technology. Here are some tips to reuse and recycle your old technology.