Inside Out Designs’ COVID Response

S pring of 2020 brought challenges beyond the usual rush of planting, mowing and weed control. What is normally a busy season in the green industry was slowed nearly to a halt by COVID-19. As ever, the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape industry has shown incredible resilience and ingenuity in the face of these unusual times.

Inside Out Designs began as a two-person operation with Michael Mueller (past KNLA president) and his wife Andrea working from a single desk in their home in 2007. Thirteen years later, it has grown and is a thriving business.

Inside Out Designs, like so many of our amazing member companies, has taken a proactive approach to adapting the workplace for the current climate and looking out for the safety of their staff and customers. The following information is a resource Inside Out Designs has provided for their team, and they’ve generously shared this information with KNLA. Thank you, Michael and Andrea, for your continued work to support, grow and protect our industry!

IOD Employee Covid 19 Policy & Safety Procedures

1. Wear clean clothing

We have issued each employee 3 t-shirts and 2 bandanas as part of our new safety policy. We must insist that employees come to work with clean clothes on each day. Please launder your clothing. Clothes that are soiled are more likely to carry human pathogens including COVID-19.

2. If you or someone in your household is sick – stay home

Stay home and call the office immediately if:

1. A doctor advises you or someone in your household to stay home — even if you did not get a COVID-19 test.

2. You have had contact with someone who you believe may have been exposed, whether or not they have symptoms.

3. You have worked with someone who may be ill.

We can do this…

3. What if someone becomes ill at work?

In the event an employee becomes sick during the course of the workday, the crew driver of that employee must take them back to their vehicle or directly home if the employee didn’t drive to the site. The crew driver must notify the office. If it is a driver that becomes ill, they must (if possible) take their crew back to the shop and then go home.

4. Personal Protective Equipment & Cleaning Supplies

You have been provided with items to help you stay safe such as dust masks, bandanas, gloves & bottles containing bleach cleaning solution. We expect you to use these daily to keep clean. Please disinfect your masks on the weekends or each evening. If you have more than one. Take turns using ones that have been cleaned. None of these items guarantee your safety. You must still follow the CDC recommended guidelines of maintaining a 6 foot distance, not touching your face and washing your hands for a full 20 seconds whenever. Wearing a face covering in public can also reduce the chance of infection. Please use the masks and bandanas. See instructions for folding your bandana into a no-sew filter covering below:

Bandana Face Covering (no sew method)

Materials:

• Bandana (or square cotton cloth approximately 20" x 20")

• Coffee filter or dust mask (extends usage)

• Rubber bands (or hair ties)

1: Cut Coffee Filter

2: Fold bandanna

3: Fold filter in center of folded bandanna. Fold top down. Fold bottom up.

4: Place rubber bands or hair ties about 6 inches apart.

5: Fold side to the middle and tuck.

6:

7: After use, remove by bands carefully.

Wash bandana with soap & water, dry daily.

Repeat with fresh coffee filter, change dust mask after 5 days.

5. Maintain Social Distance

Please do not interact with clients unless at a distance of a minimum 10 feet. Be advised that any meeting must be kept to no more than 20 minutes and must be restricted to outdoors only. Please avoid touching any personal items that belong to clients. If you are moving items, such as lawn chairs, in the way of performing your job, wear gloves, carefully return them to their original location and sanitize your hands.

6. Lunch Breaks

It is very important that you limit your contact with others. Please do not take lunch on customer’s furniture. Maintain 6 ft spacing with your crew members during lunch outside of your truck. Wash your hands before eating, wipe down your truck often, and practice good hygiene when using field restrooms. Hand sanitizer stations are now provided at our portable toilets.

CDC Helpful Facts & Guidelines:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide helpful facts about coronavirus (COVID-19) and guidelines to stop the spread of germs on their website: cdc.gov/COVID19

Who we are

Our priority is the health and safety of our employees, families, customers and vendors. We can stay mindful and healthy by following these new procedures. We are going to get through to the other side of this most challenging time. So please remember how important it is to:

• Wipe down your trucks, tools & common surfaces

• Keep track of your assigned tools

• Limit gatherings even on off hours

• Stay safe, stay home

Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our office staff or Michael and Andrea directly:

100 Old Georgetown Road

Frankfort, KY 40601-8864

Phone: 502-695-7020

Email: andream@insideout-design.org

Web: www.insideout-design.org

Together we can protect each other, our families and our community