INFORM
Let ’s Hear it From
ANDREW BRAY NALP GOVERMENT REGULATIONS NALP’S ROLE IN DEVELOPING PESTICIDE SAFET Y STANDARDS
E
ach landscaper develops their own safety practices as they develop their careers. There are several influencing factors, including area of expertise, management teams, geographic location and experience level. Safety standards are consistent industry-wide, though, and these are often regulated by industry and governmental leadership. Andrew Bray is a key player in developing that regulation. Andrew is the NALP’s vice president of government relations and serves as the middleman between the EPA and thousands of
landscape professionals. He started his long career as a landscaper in high school and college, but then earned his law degree after undergraduate school. He grew up in the nation’s capital and was always interested in government lobbying. Andrew worked in government relations for different trade associations, then helped with several political campaigns and even launched a short career as a criminal attorney. Finally, he returned to his roots with hopes of improving the industry he loves. “Government relations are incredibly important. The NALP does a multitude of things, including
education, community building, hosting events and meetings, and producing a multitude of other resources,” he says. “But advocacy and government relations are a huge part of our organization.” Andrew works with government agencies like OSHA and the EPA to develop and approve new industry tools. He explains why landscapers need certain products, how often they are used and the overall benefits they can have for a landscape or ecosystem. Andrew then helps develop safety resources that educate landscapers on researcher’s recommendations—things like
DEMONSTRATING PRODUCT USES TO EPA STAFF
14
Pro Landscaper USA South November/December 2021
south.prolandscaperusa.com
