Handbook | clean-green-lc

Employee Handbook

-Here you will find vital information about being an employee here at Clean Green. You will find company policies, expectations, and Standard Operating Procedures here.

-Please read and review all policies we have then sign electronically to let us know you have completed this task within 20 days of being hired.

Safety

Safety is our number one priority for everyone

Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, high visibility clothing, hats, and good boots with plenty of traction on them.
Stay Hydrated: Landscaping work can be physically demanding, especially in hot weather. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and prevent heat-related illnesses.
Use Equipment Safely: Operate all landscaping equipment according to manufacturer instructions. Be familiar with the proper operation of tools like lawnmowers, trimmers, and chainsaws, and never remove safety guards or operate equipment if you're not trained to do so. Never approach or reach under a mower while it is running.
Inspect Tools and Equipment: Before each use, inspect tools and equipment for any damage or defects. Replace or repair any faulty equipment to prevent accidents or injuries.
Practice Proper Lifting Techniques: When lifting heavy objects such as bags of mulch, leaf/yard debris, use proper lifting techniques to avoid strains or back injuries. Bend at the knees, keep your back straight, and lift with your legs rather than your back. Or, if possible, use team work or let equipment do the work for you!
Watch for Hazards: Be aware of potential hazards in the work area, such as uneven terrain, low-hanging branches, buried cables, or hidden obstacles. Take precautions to avoid accidents, avoid operating heavy equipment on steep hills or near the retaining walls or any other hazardous area's. Look for vehicles while near any roads like you would crossing the street anywhere.
Use Caution with Chemicals: When handling gas, two stroke oil, fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals, follow safety protocols outlined on the product labels. Wear appropriate protective gear and avoid inhaling or ingesting chemicals. Be aware of CARBON MONOXIDE. It can not be smelt or seen, it is present while any engine is running. Do not sit in trailers or small spaces with engines running. Stay away from the exhaust of trucks and larger equipment while running.
Be Mindful of People, Pets and even Wildlife: Watch for people and pets anywhere we work. Sometimes we need to be mindful of the wildlife that may be around when we work.
Communicate with Co-workers: Maintain clear communication with your co-workers to coordinate tasks and avoid accidents. Use hand signals, phones, or radios when working in noisy environments, and always be aware of each other's locations. Mowers always have the right away so watch for them while trimming.
Take Breaks: Pace yourself throughout the day and take regular breaks to rest and recharge. Grab a snack if needed. Fatigue can increase the risk of accidents, so listen to your body and take breaks as needed. Make sure to rotate work positions to give others time to rest, especially on hot summer days.
Chute Control: Pay attention to where your chute shoots. Are there buildings, cars, people? The mower shoots farther than you think. Always consider your discharge.
Chute Control: We want you to read this twice, because it is an important RULE. Thanks!

Employee Expectations

Time: We expect you to be punctual to work but we also understand that life happens and we all hit bumps in the road when navigating life.
Time Off: If you need time off, please ask for days off at least two weeks in advance so that we can properly schedule it in.
Uniform: Please wear appropriate team clothing. High visibility shirts and jackets are to be worn at all times on jobsites. Appearances must be reasonably clean and tidy with no loose fit clothing that can be a danger to yourself. This includes hoodies with drawstrings that can get caught in equipment. Also, do not forget to wear hats and sunglasses, not just to protect your eyes from debris while working but also to protect them from the sun. UVB/UVA sunglasses are recommended.
Be Professional: We hold employees to high standards if you want to work at Clean Green. This means treat others well, dispose of litter and cigarette butts properly, do not use unprofessional language with customers or tenants at jobsites, and stay level headed as this will help you make good decisions.
Respect and Fair Treatment: Employees expect to be treated with respect and fairness by their employers and colleagues, regardless of their position, background, or beliefs.
Have Fun and Be Competitive: Most importantly, have fun while you hone your skills while at work. Good performance with a good attitude will be rewarded at Clean Green. We notice how you act and treat others along with how well you are performing and adding to the team.

Sick Leave

Policy Statement: Clean Green Lawn Care LLC recognizes the importance of providing employees with adequate time off to attend to their health needs and promote a healthy work-life balance. This Sick Leave Policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for utilizing sick leave benefits by eligible employees in accordance with Washington State law.

Eligibility: All regular full-time and part-time employees are eligible for sick leave benefits under this policy.

Accrual: Sick leave will accrue at a rate of one (1) hour for every forty (40) hours worked, in accordance with Washington State law. Accrual begins from the date of hire. Your employee pay stubs should show Sick Leave PTO.

Usage: Employees may use accrued sick leave for their own illness or injury, medical appointments, or to care for a family member with a health condition as defined by Washington State law. Sick leave may also be used for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking as per state regulations.

Notice and Documentation: Employees must notify their supervisor or the designated HR personnel of their need to use sick leave as soon as practicable. If the sick leave extends beyond three consecutive days, the company may request reasonable documentation to support the need for leave.

Carryover and Payout: Unused sick leave of up to forty (40) hours may carry over from one year to the next. However, employees may not use more than forty (40) hours of sick leave in a calendar year.

Prohibited Retaliation: Clean Green Lawn Care LLC prohibits retaliation against any employee for exercising their rights under this Sick Leave Policy or Washington State law.

Policy Review: This Sick Leave Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure compliance with current Washington State laws and regulations.

Questions: For any questions regarding this policy or sick leave benefits, employees should contact the company manager.

Teamwork

Clear Communication: Effective communication is essential for teamwork. Encourage open and transparent communication among team members.
Defined Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to avoid confusion and overlap on all job-sites.
Respect: Treat co-workers professionally and do not act unprofessionally with clients or tenants of a facility.
Trust and Dependability: Build trust within the team by being reliable and accountable for your actions. We all make mistakes and errors will happen, just let supervisors know if something has happened (Example include breaking a window or damaging property: It should be reported right away so we can be honest to our clients. Hiding problems will cause more issues in the future).
Constructive Feedback: Provide and receive constructive feedback to help each other improve and grow professionally. If someone does not do their job or is having issues doing it correctly, let them know so that they can correct what they are doing wrong.
Adaptability: Be flexible and adaptable to changes in priorities for the days work.
Hand Signals: Learn hand signals to improve team efficiency.

Equipment Operation

Inspect the Mowers: Before each use, inspect the mower for any signs of damage or wear. Check the tires, blades, belts, and controls to ensure they are in proper working condition.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear appropriate PPE, including eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, and sturdy footwear. Long pants are also recommended to protect your legs from debris.
Mount and Dismount Safely: Mount and dismount the mower carefully, using the designated footholds and handholds. Never jump on or off the mower while it is in motion.
Secure the Area: Clear the mowing area of obstacles such as rocks, branches, and toys before starting the mower and look out for them while mowing. Watch out for uneven terrain, steep slopes, and potential hazards. Put the mower in SAFETY mode (anti-theft) if mowers are left out of the trailer so that unauthorized users can not start or run equipment. SAFETY mode includes: take out key, undo hand brake, engage clutch.
Operate on Stable Ground: Avoid operating the mower on steep slopes or unstable terrain that could cause loss of control. Use caution when mowing near ditches, ponds, or other drop-offs.
Start the Engine Safely: Start the mower according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically with the parking brake engaged and the operator in the seat. Ensure that the cutting blades are disengaged before starting the engine. When starting the mower in an enclosed trailer, make sure that the mower is not on for long if you are driving in and out of the trailer. CARBON MONOXIDE POISINING is something to take very seriously while running small and large equipment.
Use Caution on Slopes: Exercise caution when mowing on slopes or inclines. Always mow across slopes rather than up and down to reduce the risk of rollovers. Use extra caution on wet or slippery surfaces.
Watch for Hazards: Be aware of your surroundings and watch for obstacles, pedestrians, and other hazards while mowing. Stay vigilant and keep a safe distance from people and property.
Follow Safe Operating Practices: Operate the mower at a safe speed, taking into account the terrain and conditions. Avoid sudden maneuvers, and always keep both hands on the steering controls while the mower is in motion. Keep right foot on deck raising pedal so you can raise the deck in case of an emergency.
Monitor for Irregularities in sound, Vibrations, Smells or anything Unusual: Equipment will have a standard operation sound and feel. If equipment is bogging down or acting sporadically, shut off or find supervisor and notify them. It may be something simple, it may be user error, or equipment may need repairs. Catching issues early can be the difference in not destroying equipment. You should pay attention to vibrations, smoke, and even smells that may change while operating anything and everything.

Mower Operations

Safety:

-Personal Protective Equipment -Watch for people, pets, vehicles -Blade control

-Do not approach or reach under any equipment that is on/running.
Mower Control: Understanding basic operation of equipment and how everything functions.
Deck Height: Confirm mowing height before mowing.
Know the Landscape:

-Are there mowing zones at the location (subdivided work) -Account/Client Preferences

-Looking for obstacles, debris, trees & root system, pipes/drains -Terrain layout and slopes
Know Conditions: Is the grass wet or dry? Length of grass short or long? Makes cutting height potentially different.
Mowing Operations: Riding mowers will do 3 perimeter laps in a clockwise direction. After perimeter laps, begin to stripe lawn from the middle out.
Chute Control: Always pay attention to the mower discharge. Know when to close and when to open chute, or partially open chute is vital to operations and efficiency.
Efficiency is Key:

-Speed comes with efficiency - Follow mowing operations -Assess work upon completion
Paying Attention to Mulch:

-Wet sticky grass -Moving too quickly -Chute up/down -Thick lawn or thin

-If mowing a section twice because of mulch, mow in different pattern and raise deck a minimum of 1”
Double Check Work: Look for excessive mulch, missed spots and mohawks. Upon completion of mowing, assist team where needed (Mow, Trim, Blow- IN that order).

Trimming Operations

Safety:

- Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)

-Watch for people, pets, and vehicles
Pre-Trim:

-Make sure trimmer has enough fuel for the section you're trimming.

-Make sure you keep extra trimmer line on your person.
Plan and Know Your Path:

-Know your zone/area

-Assess area for ankle busters

-Start and follow mowers perimeter

-Check for interior objects that may need to be trimmed as you move throughout your path, tree's, flower beds, signs, etc.

-Understand what has or hasn't been trimmed and act accordingly.
Trimming Operations:

-Throttle Control

-Trim whatever the mower can't reach

-Maintain grass line at a level height
Situation Awareness:

-Check for mowers

-Mower has right of way

-Clear path for mowers by moving debris or objects

-Look for people and pets and keep your head on a swivel.
Double Check Work:

-Look for missed spots.

-Upon completion of trimming, assist team where needed (Mow, Trim, Blow- IN that order).

Attention to Detail

Client and Account Preferences: Pay close attention to the specific preferences and requirements of the client. Some accounts get different levels of service like cleaning up garbage off the property.
Site Conditions: Take note of the existing site conditions, including soil type, drainage patterns, sunlight exposure, and existing vegetation. These factors will influence how we operate at our clients locations.
Weed and Debris Removal: Thoroughly remove weeds, rocks, toys, branches and debris from the site before starting any landscape maintenance if applicable. Pay attention to detail when cleaning up the area to create a clean and professional-looking environment after we leave. Example, making sure clippings are not covering walkways, roads, or even sprayed onto vehicles. (Concepts like Chute control and being mindful of your surroundings along with other SoP procedures should mitigate this so there is minimal cleanup needed after finishing on a job site).
Double Checking Zones: After finishing a zone at larger apartments and commercial locations, double check for cleanliness, making sure everything is trimmed and cut, and that nothing is damaged or that GARBAGE is not scattered about from our work.

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