You are on the verge of signing a landscape contract with a new client—one with plenty of potential for future growth. Then the unthinkable happens: one of your company vehicles breaks down. There goes the cash you had earmarked for hiring new team members or the cash reserve you saved to avoid layoffs should the economy do the unexpected.

Many small businesses are hurting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent survey by Green Industry Pros found that COVID-19 has delayed some capital for more than 60% of respondents. Naturally, many landscape businesses are keeping a close eye on margins and cash flow: holding onto cash reserves, avoiding debt, and fighting for new business. But how can you ensure that your business survives and thrives without reliable equipment?

If your landscape company continues to perform services over the winter months like hardscape installation and snow removal, be sure you have a safety plan in place to prevent cold stress. OSHA’s cold stress guide is not an official safety standard, but it provides information and advice to help workers avoid conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite.

The conditions that lead to cold stress vary according to the climate of the worksite. The individual worker’s health also affects how susceptible they may be to cold stress. OSHA recommends: