How To Prepare For A Career In Landscaping And Tree Service

623


If you have never worked in the landscaping or tree service industry, you may not be aware of all of the risks involved in the work. The potential hazards of landscaping and tree service work include several dangers, including those created by power tools, road safety, and even misunderstandings with clients.

To successfully develop a long-term, sustainable career in the industry, it is essential to mitigate the risks where you can, and always prioritize safety. Below are a few of the best ways you can prepare for a long, safe, and successful career in landscaping and tree service.

Communication with clients

It may seem obvious, but clear, good communication with your client is essential for succeeding in the industry. If you do not have clear communication with your clients, you may find your customers refusing to pay for work that they feel they did not agree to or that they do not like. By clearly outlining the services you provide, explaining how you will complete the process, and giving the clients space to ask any questions they have, you will clear away any potential misunderstanding before you pull out your weed wacker.

Communicating well with your clients has another hidden benefit – relationship building and networking. Many landscaping services are advertised primarily through word of mouth. If you can communicate well, connect with your clients, and reach out to them regularly when they are due for updated service, you will be able to build a loyal customer base quickly.

Protect yourself and your business with insurance

Insurance is essential to maintaining a landscaping or tree service business. Although insurance itself will not mitigate any risks, it will protect you and your company if something does go wrong. There is a lot that can go wrong with a landscaping job; an employee, or one of your clients, could be injured. There might be accidental property damage if a tree branch unexpectedly falls through a window or onto a car, and competitors can even sue you if they feel you are copying their advertisements.

Next Insurance offers plans specifically for tree service insurance that cover all of these potential scenarios. Next Insurance also recognizes just how busy the landscaping and tree service profession is, so it is fast and easy to receive a quote, start your plan, and ask any questions that you have.

Tool and equipment safety

As always, when working with tools, safety is of utmost concern. When working on a job, it is vital to remain aware at all times. It can be tempting to start listening to a podcast and zone out while trimming hedges, but if you are leading a team, you need to be acutely aware of everything happening on the job site. Becoming distracted around landscaping tools and equipment can be very dangerous.

Tools should also be kept sharp and regularly checked to ensure that they are in good working order. Dull blades make your job much more difficult, increase your risk for repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and increase the possibility of cuts and, at worst, amputations.

Workers should also know all of the tools and equipment used, how the equipment should be operated, and how it can be safely turned off. Equipment like leaf blowers, lawnmowers, and power tools can cause major injuries if they are not used correctly and not powered off after use.

If you have a team working under you, you need to ensure that your employees are trained to use and maintain tools properly. The last thing you want is for an employee to become injured because they were not adequately trained in using the tools and maintaining workplace safety.

Exposure and taking care of yourself

Many people are attracted to a landscaping and tree service career because you can work outdoors rather than sit at a desk. However, a result of working outdoors is that you are exposed to the sun, heat, and diseases carried by insects and vermin. You can protect yourself from the sun and heat by covering up as much as possible, always wearing sunscreen when outdoors, and hydrating.

Insects, rats, and snakes can carry diseases depending on the area where you are working. Investing in good quality work boots and long work pants will help increase your safety by shielding you from bites and stings.



Source link

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here