I see dozens of posts on LinkedIn every day of interior landscapers, from all around the world, showing some of the fantastic projects that they are doing. The desire for office greenery isn’t subsiding and organizations are seeing the benefits of putting plants into the workplace.

This makes me happy.

I also see dozens of posts every day where such greenery is in cabinet-top planters. This too has its positives: the plants are elevated and visible from a distance. The density of foliage is good and it looks a whole lot nicer than piles of paper and other office junk that would otherwise find its way to any available horizontal surface.

This too is a cause for celebration.

But. And there is a but…

Interior designers and interior landscapers, please have a thought for the technicians that have to look after these plant displays. The plants are often at, or above, shoulder height and if you are constantly lifting 10kg – 15kg of water from the floor to that height, and twisting to make sure that the water goes where it is supposed to, you are putting quite a strain on your body. Do that 150 – 200 times a day and you are really going to feel it.

Please make sure your manual handling risk assessments are up-to-date, your manual handling training reflects this type of plant maintenance, and please look for alternatives to watering cans when planning work like this – small watering machines would be a good choice where practicable.