Contact: Ilene Manster
Phone: (703) 736-9666
E-mail: ilenemanster@landcarenetwork.org

For Immediate Release

GREEN INDUSTRY COMPANIES TAKE WORKPLACE SAFETY TO NEXT LEVEL

Herndon, VA, September 1, 2005 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) is pleased to announce the addition of eight landscape, lawn care, and supplier companies to the roster of STARS Safe Company Program participants. In November 2003, STARS was developed in partnership with CNA and in keeping with PLANET’s recent alliance with OSHA to further the safety and health of workers in the industry. This safety program was designed to move the entire green industry toward safety excellence and to encourage all green industry companies to take workplace safety to the next level. There is no fee to participate in the program, and all landscape, lawn care, and supplier firms are invited to become STARS members. 

The program asks participants to sign a “Pledge of Honor” that they will join in the mission of moving the entire green industry toward safety excellence through active involvement, sharing experiences, and becoming a mentor for “living safety.” STARS members commit to developing a strong safety program by using the STARS Safety Resource Manual as a guideline, having an active safety committee in place, and conducting weekly safety awareness meetings. They are also asked to participate in the Safety Recognition Awards Program, to comply with all OSHA postings and other regulatory requirements, to investigate and document all accidents, to encourage other companies to become STARS members, and to share best practices with fellow STARS members.

The following is a list of the most recent STARS Safe Company Program participants.

All Seasons Pest Control, Jacksonville, FL
Clemens & Associates, Inc., Santa Fe, NM
Five Star Garden Service, Kiowa, CO
Green Grass Inc., San Antonio, TX
Laporte & Associates, Inc., Portland, OR
Lumbra Robinson and Associates, Orlando, FL
Wallace Landscape Associates, Inc., Kennett Square, PA
Wallace Landscape Group, Dawsonville, GA

For more information about the STARS program, please visit www.landcarenetwork.org, contact Ilene Manster at ilenemanster@landcarenetwork.org, or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

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PLANET represents approximately 4,200 green industry service provider companies and suppliers nationwide that specialize in design/build/installation, interior plantscaping, lawn care, and maintenance. These firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.