Heat Stress

OSHA has a Quick Card called Protecting Workers from Heat Stress (OSHA 3154). It discusses heat illness, risk factors, symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and prevention, as well as how protect your workers and what to do if a worker is ill from the heat.

This card should practically be required reading for turfgrass managers in the summer and early fall. Be careful, stay safe, and watch for signs of heat stress in your co-workers.

Just as people can become heat stressed, so can your lawn. If you know what signs to watch for in your lawn, you can prevent turfgrass loss or long-lasting damage. When you see gaps or cracks in the soil across your yard, it is time for some water. Gaps in the perimeter of your lawn along the driveway or sidewalk are also signs that you need to turn on the sprinklers. If you have flower beds that have grass edges, you can see down a few inches to see how deep the dryness goes.

Footprints are another easy way to know if your grass is dehydrated. If simply walking across your yard leaves imprints of your foot, it is because the grass is too dry.

When it is time to water your lawn, be sure to be smart and use best practices. The best time to water is in the early morning, between 5 am and 8 am. This allows your lawn to soak up that water without losing it to evaporation from heat and sun. Giving your lawn at least 1" of water per week will sustain it. The “cycle and soak” method works well, especially in a commercial setting. Running the sprinklers for approximately 10 minutes per zone and letting the system cycle through all zones twice reduces runoff. It is always important to be a good steward of water.

The ATA Board of Directors recently voted to move the 2021 Conference and Trade Show to an all-virtual event, scheduled for January 28–29, 2021. This decision was made in response to the continued threats of COVID-19 and by making the decision now, we were able to avoid financial penalties with the Hot Springs Convention Center. The online event will include a variety of education offerings and will provide opportunities to get points for pesticide recertification with the Arkansas Plant Board as well as professional development points for GCSAA members. More information will be published on the ATA website soon!

Richard Covert

2020 ATA President