NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES IN CASE OF WORK-RELATED INJURIES

SEVERE WIND AND TORNADO RESPONSE PLAN

Severe Wind and Tornado Response Plan – CODE GREY

When severe weather is identified as imminent in our area, the following actions are to be taken:

1. Announce Code Grey on company walkies and if evacuation is necessary. For instance: “Code Grey, evacuate to storm shelter.”

   1. The storm shelter is in the basement of Bob & Suzi Bedner’s house.

2. A message will also be sent out via Homebase to all employees working that day.

3. At this point, all retail staff are to begin making announcements to customers that the store is closing and we are evacuating due to weather. Customers are encouraged to shelter in place with staff, however, we cannot force them to do so. If they wish to leave, that is their choice.

   1. The retail manager/supervisor on shift that day is to stand at the second row of parking near the entrance and direct customers and staff toward Bob & Suzi’s house.

   2. NOTE: Staff are NOT to stay inside the store to warn customers or search the store for customers. Simply make the announcement, then evacuate along with the customers. Staff are NOT emergency response personnel.

   3. Before vacating the premises, all registers and doors are to be locked.

4. The Manager/Supervisor on shift that day will then be responsible for taking headcount/roll call for all employees in that department evacuated to the rally point. If anyone is missing, all efforts must be made to locate the individual as quickly as possible via radio, Homebase, and phone. The individual taking the headcount is to notify the rest of management of the missing team member(s), as well as to coordinate search efforts and/or notify the authorities if necessary.

5. Remaining in storm shelter is encouraged until confirmation is received from authorities that the threat of severe weather has passed.

Production Staff:

1. Close and secure all greenhouse doors

2. Close and secure pump house doors

3. Lower powered sides in GH 15 and 16

Use unit for controlling sides only

Press CLOSE button. Display should read CLO

If winds are extreme, consider unplugging unit to ensure sides stay closed

4. If time permits, lower sides on GH 3.5

5. Ensure doors to seed room and fill room are closed

6. If wind warning is known early in the day and time permits, move stacks of loose pots from pallets into greenhouses or other structures.  Do not put yourself at risk to move pots into the greenhouse or other structure! 

Landscape Department

1. Call crews and inform them of storm approach

   1. Crews - shelter in vehicles if other safe options are not available

2. Get all equipment under car port

3. Have Containers secured & locked

4. Close Office windows & doors 

5. Trees should be laid down/secured if safe to do so

6. Have Hoop House side panel open if safe to do so

7. Secure garbage cans

8. Office/ On-site personnel go to storm shelter (in the basement of Bob & Suzi Bedner’s house)

   1. Office employees take laptops with them if possible

Garden Center Department

1. Close all doors

2. Shut roof

3. Warn customers that bad storm is coming

4. Gather all employees

5. Gather any straggling customers

6. Check that all retail staff is accounted for

7. Go to Suzi's or pump house

   1. Stay there until all is safe

8. If power/internet is down after the storm,

   1. get the laptop from landscape and black container in retail office with wifi hotspot and scanner

   2. Use laptop as VMX mobile

9. Explain to customers we have one register working and to please be patient.

10. Pick up any fallen items in nursery and in garden center

Rally Points:

The manager/supervisor on duty that day will be responsible for taking headcount of everyone scheduled in their department that day. Each department will have an orange safety vest for this person to wear to be easily identified and followed in case others are unsure of where to go.

• Rally Point A

  • Bob and Suzi’s front yard between their house and the horse barn

• Rally Point B

  • Under the tree by the cut flower field.

• Rally Point C

  • Employee Parking Lot

All staff are to remain at the designated Rally Point until the Fire Department notifies them that it is safe to return or are advised otherwise.

FIRE RESPONSE PLAN

Fire Response Plan – CODE RED

In case of fire the following actions must be taken immediately.

1. The person that first identifies the fire must call 911 immediately.

   1. Be specific when telling authorities the location of the fire.

2. Announce Code Red on company walkies along with the location of fire. For instance: “Code Red Greenhouse 7, I repeat Code Red Greenhouse 7.”

3. After calling 911, contact a Manager.

   1. Russ: 412-400-8413

   2. Melanie: 724-350-1836

   3. Erin: 304-669-0213

   4. Maureen: 412-980-7874

4. Management will then determine if evacuation is needed.

   1. If an evacuation requires only a specific area of the property, that also must be specified over the radio. For example:

      1. “Code Red Greenhouse 7. All Production staff report to rally point B”.

   2. A message will also be sent out via Homebase to all employees working that day.

   3. If the fire happens to be in the Garden Center or the structure over the perennial patio, the air horns stored at the register pavilions must be blown in 3 consecutive short bursts, and all staff working in the store are to announce to the customers around them to immediately evacuate out the nearest exit.

      1. The retail manager/supervisor on shift that day is to stand at the second row of parking near the entrance and direct customers to Rally Point A 

      2. NOTE: Staff are NOT to stay inside the store to warn customers or search the store for customers. Simply make the announcement, then evacuate along with the customers. Staff are NOT emergency response personnel.

5. The Manager/Supervisor on shift that day will then be responsible for taking headcount/roll call for all employees in that department evacuated to the rally point. If anyone is missing, all efforts must be made to locate the individual as quickly as possible via radio, Homebase, and phone. The individual taking the headcount is to notify the rest of management of the missing team member(s), as well as to coordinate search efforts and/or notify the authorities if necessary.

Rally Points:

The manager/supervisor on duty that day will be responsible for taking headcount of everyone scheduled in their department that day. Each department will have an orange safety vest for this person to wear to be easily identified and followed in case others are unsure of where to go.

1. Rally Point A

   1. Bob and Suzi’s front yard between their house and the horse barn

2. Rally Point B

   1. Under the tree by the cut flower field.

3. Rally Point C

   1. Employee Parking Lot

All staff are to remain at the designated Rally Point until the Fire Department notifies them that it is safe to return or are advised otherwise.

EXTREME HEAT PROTOCOL

Extreme Heat Protocol 

In case of temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, please follow the below guidelines:

1. Fans should be turned on in all retail spaces, and doors open where possible.

2. Air conditioning must be provided in the breakroom and offices.

3. Water coolers must stay replenished.  This is the job of every employee. If you use the last of the water, put a new  jug in.

4. Encourage employees to stay hydrated.

   1. Pay attention to your staff, if they seem to be overheating, have them take a break.

5. Remind employees to wear hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and/or UV protective clothing on these days.

6. Managers and Supervisors should prepare to allow for more breaks, more often on these days.

Heat-Related Illnesses to Watch For

Heat Stroke

7. Signs

   1. Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) taken orally 

   2. Red, hot and dry skin with no sweat

   3. Rapid, strong pulse

   4. Dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness

8. If you suspect heat stroke, call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately.  If possible: move the person suffering from heat stroke into a cool, shaded area; remove any outer clothing; place a cold wet cloth or ice pack on the head, neck, armpits and groin, or soak the person’s clothing with cool water; elevating their feet.

Heat Cramps

9. Signs

   1. Muscle pains 

   2. Spasms in the stomach, arms or legs

Heat Exhaustion

10. Signs

    1. Heavy sweating

    2. Paleness

    3. Muscle Cramps

    4. Fast or weak pulse

    5. Dizziness

    6. Headache

    7. Fainting

    8. Nausea and/or vomiting

11. If you have signs of heat cramps or heat exhaustion, go to a cooler location and cool down by removing excess clothing and taking sips of sports drinks or water. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.