More than 500 landscape, lawn care and supplier companies have signed up for the Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) STARS Safe Company Program, which was launched in November 2003.

The program’s mission is 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 and lawn care 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 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 posting 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.

For more information, visit www.landcarenetwork.org.