HEALTH AND WELLNESS

By Evelyn Long

Stress in the workplace is common across industries . Landscape and grounds management professionals need to be on top of workplace stress concerns given the nature of the work — manual labor , hot summers and demanding projects can all impact a worker ’ s physical and mental wellbeing . Managing stress requires a combination of physical wellbeing , good project management and mental health discussion . The following tips will help handle stress in the landscape and grounds management industries .

1 . HEAT-MANAGEMENT POLICY One of the most significant inhibiting factors against landscape and grounds management professionals is high temperatures . Whether planting trees , mowing grass , or spreading fertilizer , the bulk of the work occurs outdoors .

Heat stress is critical in any conversation about mental health and physical wellbeing . Hot days can be linked to a variety of physical and mental ailments — from dehydration and heat exhaustion to less visible issues such as a higher risk of mood disorders and occupational injuries , according to a Boston University researcher .

Therefore , crews should have a heat-management policy to protect employees . Managers can start their heat management from the beginning . New employees can learn about heat-related illnesses during their onboarding , so they know what to watch out for during the long days .

On the job , managers should be armed with heat safety education and keep track of breaks and PPE so they can help workers stay cool and refreshed during the day .

38 SportsField Management | January 2023 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com