Federal OSHA requires certain establishments to electronically report their OSHA injury log by March 2nd of each year. Institutions with 250 employees or more at a single location are automatically required to electronically submit their OSHA 300A....

Learning to distinguish the symptoms of lightning strikes is a valuable tool for arborists, landscapers, pest control companies, and gardeners. The symptoms may be confused with other causes such as lethal yellowing disease (Candidatus palmae...

As COVID continues to be a global concern and as many organizations are finding new normal ways to work, there is concern for workplace overexertion and fatigue. Overexertion can be a result of physical or emotional strain or pressure caused when you...

The Fall and Winter seasons signal many beautiful changes in the Garden landscape; from colorful leaves to Holiday Lights. Fall and Winter also signals the beginning of the flu season, which according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (...

DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Defensive driving practices apply to all driving situations. In addition to normal work
related travel on public roads, Garden employees drive a wide variety of equipment; from
scooters to golf...

Distracted driving is a leading cause of the increasing number of auto accidents and the severity of resulting injury and damages. Understanding how to avoid distraction and implementing best driving practices to keep our employees, volunteers and...

Ransomware is a growing concern for non-profits of all sizes but can be prevented with strategic risk management practices to counter these attacks and protect critical infrastructure and data. As they say “it is not a matter of if, but when” you will...

Since 2017, sexual harassment claims in the workplace have increased by double digits. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that violates the Federal Law; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII applies to employers with 15 or...

Fall is a beautiful and often very busy season for Gardens and Arboretums, with many guests visiting to enjoy cooler weather, Fall colors, and other seasonal events. Fall is also a busy season for staff working outside in preparing the landscape for...

Summer heat can have a detrimental effect on employees and volunteers who work outdoors or within indoor environments with elevated temperatures. Each year more people in the United States die from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornados...

Traveling and working abroad is the experience of a lifetime. As an employer you have a duty to provide a safe work environment for your staff. This can be more challenging when you send employees to work outside of the US.

Most public gardens are hosts to children every day. Whether they are visiting with family or with a school group, gardens are magical places for children to learn, explore, and enjoy. In some cases, that exploration can lead to a child being separated...

This article may look familiar as we posted it in December of 2017, but as drones become increasingly popular, we found it important to revisit the topic. Whether you own a drone, or allow third parties to bring them on-site, there is risk involved and...

Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries and significant costs whether they involve employees, volunteers or guests. This winter has been especially brutal in the Midwest with polar vortex, significant snowfall, ice storms that knocked...

AED devices have proven to save lives and have become an affordable tool for many private and public establishments to add to their safety and risk management program. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports a decreased chance of...

When you receive notice of a hurricane that has the potential to impact your area, it’s important that all individuals and cultural institutions prepare for possible strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding. 

Ensuring a positive guest experience is important for all public gardens.  Unfortunately, minor injuries occur when exploring or working in natural spaces reinforcing the need for a robust incident response plan including first aid.  Whether it be a...

Many individuals with disabilities use a service animal in order to fully participate in everyday life. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with guidance published through the Department of Justice (DOJ), continue to answer questions on service...

Children’s gardens are a valuable amenity to draw families to public gardens. They provide kids a designated area to explore and learn about the natural world while giving parents’ peace of mind that their children are in a safe space. However, they...

BHS Insurance has received numerous questions and concerns from public gardens regarding their liability, should a guest be injured while playing Pokémon Go. This article outlines the garden’s exposure due to these game playing guests and who is...