Landscape Management, December 2014

i IrrIgatIon Water ManageMent Irrigating a capital confined spaces ooking beyond its hefty duty to water every blade of government grass in Canadas capital and receiving security clearances and certifcations to do so Nutri Lawn Ottawa has a surprisingly simple end in view Hopefully were as nice to the homeowner as we are to the prime minister says Rob Johnstone irrigation project manager for the branch of Nutri Lawn Corp Headquartered in Toronto the corporation has 28 locations Nutri Lawn Ottawa maintains 2500 irrigation accounts a ffth of which are commercial including the government account it has secured for 10 years Its the largest irrigation service provider in the city Nutri Lawn Ottawas Irrigation Coordinator Martina Charlebois says The branch has taken a two sided approach to get to that point 1 On the job site it makes safety a top priority through certifcations and 2 When it comes to customers it operates with a you call we come manifesto Certified to provide Certifcations vary from region to region in Canada Johnstone says The four that Nutri Lawn Ottawa requires its irrigation technicians to hold include Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System WHMIS frst aid confned space and fall arrest aka fall safety You have to have all four of those just to get on the job site in a lot of places Johnstone says WHMIS and frst aid are required on all job sites whereas the confned space certification and fall arrest certifcation are necessary for commercial job sites With Nutri Lawn Ottawas irrigation segment comprising 30 percent of the business the certifcations can be handy in its other proft centers as well Lawn care makes up 50 percent and lighting landscape and holiday accounts for the remaining portion Employing up to 30 irrigation technicians during its busy season Nutri Lawn Ottawa makes an ample investment in certifcations each year Most require daylong courses and cost around 80 per certifcation per person Charlebois says LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET December 2014 28 Its a small price compared to what could occur if something went wrong Johnstone says especially on commercial accounts where there are more hazards Plus with all mainline pipe located 5 feet below ground in Ottawa the confned space certifcation is a safeguard for technicians who must enter manholes or concrete bunkers In accordance with the certifcation technicians who enter such confined spaces must test the air quality before entering the area and be attached to a winch plus complete the proper paperwork to affrm procedures were followed The fall arrest certifcation thats basically for anybody whos going to be using ropes and harnesses on a How nutri Lawn ottawa navigates certifications and security clearances to provide irrigation services for government properties By SaraH PfLedderer nutri Lawn ottawa requires techs to hold confined space certification to work on commercial job sites such as this city athletic field Martina Charlebois photo Nutri LawN ottawa