Prior to the pandemic, a reported 23% of employees whose jobs made it possible to do so worked from home. Today, two years later, that number has increased to a whopping 59%. One of the many impacts that has had, is a marked increase in the number of complaints about backpack blower noise, the majority of which is caused by the machine’s engines.
More than 100 U.S. cities and towns now ban gas-powered leaf blowers or limit their use. The State of California, where some 80 cities have issued their own regulations, is on track to outlaw the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers altogether in 2024. The negatives on blowers are three-fold: engine air pollution; noise pollution; and, particulate air pollution. A move to battery-powered operation essentially negates the first two of those. As for particulates, often termed ‘fugitive dust,’ no matter what type of blowers you use be sure your operators wear masks during operation and are trained about safe blower use when others are present.
Fortunately, the latest generation of lithium batteries have made it much more practical to make the switch. Many manufacturers now provide battery-powered blower options and the use times have increased steadily in the last several years.
By being a relatively early adopter — and saying so prominently on their websites and in their other marketing materials — contractors can boast of being more friendly to both the environment and to people impacted by blower noise. Such a switch can be especially important for night sweeping contractors working with apartment buildings nearby, since noise complaints can really create havoc when alternate sweeping schedules end up being mandated.
To see a comprehensive article on the topic of battery-powered blower units at the WSA website, go to: tinyurl.com/3pjpz32f
