McAdam Landscaping models essential steps for businesses

Amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, it’s one thing to be considered an “essential business” And it’s another matter to take the precautionary steps that are essential to support the safety and well-being of customers, employees and the public.

For landscaping companies like McAdam Landscaping, this new and challenging environment demands great attention to detail as well as continual communication about those details, said McAdam Sales and Marketing Director Scott McAdam Jr.

In communication with customers, employees as well as the general public, McAdam provides extensive specifics about its safety measures. Those measures include:

• Following and adhering to all guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and other federal, state, and local authorities.
• Any employee showing any signs of sickness will be asked to stay home and self-isolate.
• Eliminated physical touching of any kind between co-workers or customers/the public.
• Disinfecting spray is available throughout the company’s office and is to be used multiple times per day on all frequently touched surfaces.
• Signs have been posted throughout the office as reminders to wash hands frequently, as well as CDC information pieces regarding COVID-19.
• Social distancing of six feet at all times.
• Staggered start times to ensure no congregations of 10 individuals or more occur.
• Limiting the number of staff in vehicles to adhere to social distancing.
• Disinfecting spray in each truck and procedures for cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees.
• Contacting any clients before performing work on site to ensure they are comfortable with us working on their property.

The Forest Park-based company has issued a letter to customers that affirms the determination by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity that landscaping and lawn care is an essential service. The letter includes a link to Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Order 20-10 that spells out essential businesses and operations.

As the order states, “Many landscape projects will fit under an exemption such as construction, agriculture, or public works. Outdoor landscape projects generally will provide for good social distancing that poses little risk of transmission, but it still is important to ensure the ability to wash or sanitize hands and take other precautions.”

McAdam has specified how its services support public health and safety, as well:

• We are about to enter the wettest three months in Illinois. Landscape contractors handle all aspects of storm water management during these periods. This can include moving water away from properties and foundations. Quarantined families do not need to worry about flooded basements and window wells.
• Landscape contractors deal with large standing water in residential backyards that is a harbinger for mosquitoes and other pests.
• All plants, grass, and weeds are going to flourish for the next three months. Tall grass and weeds provide habitat for mice and vermin. We cannot expect an infirmed older person to cut their own grass and we worry about an explosion of mice, vermin, ticks, and mosquitoes if landscapes are not maintained. These pests will get into homes and cause disruption to cleanliness and food supplies and are a source for secondary diseases that can cause complications with COVID-19.
• Unkempt spring and summer landscapes will bring about large concentrations of pollen. Pollen is great for gardens and pollinators, but difficult for those with asthma who could see complications from COVID-19.
• Landscape contractors deal with dead or diseased plant material that can cause harm to people, houses, and structures.
• If spring brings its typical wind and rain events, there will be downed trees, branches, and debris. Landscape contractors are often the first professionals onsite clearing roads, sidewalks, decks, and porches of downed material after these events.

“It is our responsibility to support public health initiatives, protect property and maintain greenspaces that jeopardize public safety, and improve psychological and mental wellbeing,” McAdam states. “Spring is a critical time with an abundance of growth that will require prompt maintenance and care.”

For more information about McAdam Landscaping’s efforts during this time, visit www.mcadamlandscape.com, where the home page provides additional specifics on its response to COVID-19.

Founded in 1979 by River Forest natives Scott and Rob McAdam, McAdam Landscaping is a full-service contractor for residential, commercial and municipal clients. With the creation of the Nursery & Garden Center in 2003, McAdam moved beyond maintenance and design/installation and into other specialties such as landscape lighting and water features.