Employees are a crucial resource at any business. There are steps you can take now, and during the flu season, to help protect the health of your employees. Develop and review sick leave policies that encourage sick workers to stay at home without fear of any reprisals. Advise all employees to stay home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after their fever* (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

As the drought continues, the challenges of maintaining a lush, green turfgrass increase. Higher water costs and water restrictions force the reevaluation of turfgrass areas. Many Arizona municipalities offer incentives for turf removal projects, and public perceptions regarding turfgrass are shifting. Turfgrass conversion involves replacing areas of turfgrass with artificial turf or drought-resistant lower water using plant materials while maintaining an attractive landscape.

Brought to you by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Landscape crews and other horticultural employees who work outdoors on wet, muddy, and uneven terrain are at high risk of slip and trip injuries. Often, these injuries occur at job sites, but they can also occur indoors, especially when “good housekeeping” isn’t a high priority. Slips and trips may result in broken bones, sprains, concussions, or other costly and painful injuries.

The past few months' weather conditions have reminded us of the importance and benefits of Sustainable Landscape Management® practices. Now that the temperatures are at least ten degrees lower and humidity has increased, we are seeing many plants and trees responding with new growth. If these summer conditions continue every year, the best way to prevent plant stress is to prepare before they arrive.

The markings you see painted on the ground are required by law. They play an important role in protecting excavators from life-threatening injuries and preventing damage to the vital utilities we all rely on every day. Still, every effort is made to keep the markings to a minimum in neighborhoods and on paved surfaces. Damage to underground facilities can cause far-reaching consequences, from serious injury and environmental damage to the loss of vital services we depend upon including electricity, gas, telephones and mobile devices, water and sewer services.