Essential

Service

“Essential services are those daily services essential to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning.”

Sections Property Maintenance Complies With

*In reference to the “List of essential workplaces” by the Government of Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/page/list-essential-workplaces  (Updated April 3rd, 2020. Published: March 23, 2020)

Section 7. Maintenance
Subsection 20. Maintenance, repair and property management services strictly necessary to manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings.

 

Requirement that apply to J.R. Lawn Maintenance and Snow Removal Inc

Compliance

    1. The person responsible for a place of business that continues to operate shall ensure that the business operates in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations made under it.
    2. The person responsible for a place of business that continues to operate shall operate the business in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.

 

Why Are We Removing Snow Markers?

Due to the fact the snow clearing services that we provide are an essential service, staking the driveway correctly falls under the scope of work. To complete the work correctly, all driveways and walkways that we service between November 1st – April 15th are marked accordingly. We are removing these markers to be compliant with the City of Ottawa’s current guidelines for private snow plow contractors.

Current Guidelines:

Earliest marker installation date: October 20
Latest date markers to be removed: April 30
Prohibited location: Not on an outer boulevard (area between a sidewalk and the travelled portion of the street)
Permitted location on property: Minimum 0.61 metres (2 feet) from sidewalk (where there is a sidewalk)
Permitted location on property: Minimum 1.22 metres (4 feet) from the travelled portion of the street (where there is no sidewalk)
Maximum height of marker:  1.22 metres (4feet), measured from the ground
Maximum width of marker: 10.1 centimetres (4 inches)
Permitted material of marker: Wood, plastic, or fiberglass – cannot be supported by metal bars
Maximum number of markers: 2 (one of either side of the driveway)
Permitted information on marker: Company logo and telephone number only – no advertising or other information

Why Property Maintenance Is an Essential Service?

As we begin the transition between winter to spring, property maintenance services such as grass cutting and spring/fall clean ups become essential to protecting the well-being of individuals. Without proper lawn maintenance, properties aesthetics and curb appeal diminish; affecting financial investments and creating public health concerns. Tall grass and weeds are the perfect environment for insects like mosquitos to dwell and weeds are an excellent place for several different types of rodents. Cutting your grass on a scheduled basis limits overgrown grass to become a tripping hazard and keeps unwanted pests to a minimal.

Spring and fall clean ups become an essential part of maintaining an individual’s property as well. Nature works its way into sewer and water lines; leaves, sticks, dirt, small rocks etc…. can create blockages underground that are difficult to detect. Without removing all debris and properly disposing of it, roadway drains and city water systems will become over stressed and affected.

Proper property maintenance also protects the public safety as overgrowth and the accumulation of debris (i.e following storms and seasonal deposits) can present situational safety hazards and can directly result in physical damage or property damage that can have long lasting detrimental effects.

Who Needs Property Maintenance Services? Why Are They Essential to Them?

Many property maintenance firms house all sorts of clients but the ones who are affected the most are the ones who simply cannot complete the work themselves. Many individuals are seniors who need aid in completing these services to benefit and not overexert themselves. There are individuals who already have respiratory problems, diabetes, physical restraints etc…by removing property maintenance, what are individuals listed above supposed to do to maintain their property.

In closing, by limiting individuals who needs to hire professionals to maintain their property, we are not only putting individuals health at risk by over-exerting them, but with COVID-19 in effect, we are putting individuals who are seniors, have pre-existing health concerns and physical restraints at a higher risk of getting this virus. By not allowing individuals to hire professional firms to maintain their property, lawns will become overgrown and public health is at risk to the increase of diseases that are able to form.