4. Myth: Banning gas-powered leaf blowers will impose a serious financial burden on lawn care companies
a. The allowed phase-out over three years gives companies time to replace old gas-powered blowers with battery-powered blowers since gas-powered blowers wear out quickly. [Transcript (Small) p. 28; Transcript (Kline) p. 7]
b. Most of the lawn care companies operating in the District are Maryland and Virginia companies with clients in those states as well. They will not have to switch their entire inventory of blowers in order to serve the District.
[Elkins2, p. 6]
c. Battery-powered blowers are cheaper to run and maintain than gas-powered blowers over time.
[Transcript (Kline) p. 7]
d. More manufacturers are introducing battery-powered blowers as alternatives and prices are coming down. [Transcript (Kline) p. 7; Fallows p. 5-6]
5. Myth: Banning gas-powered leaf blowers after 2021 is unenforceable
a. The existence of laws in 170 communities across the country demonstrate that a ban on noisy blowers can be effectively implemented. [Banks2, p. 6]
b. Enforcement techniques such as the use of citizen affidavits eliminate the need for an inspector to observe a violation while it is occurring. [Elkins2, p.6]
c. DC already uses citizen affidavits to enforce violations of the allowed hours for private trash haulers in the city. [Elkins2, p. 6]
6. Myth: Workers can protect themselves from hearing loss caused by gas-powered blowers
a. Leaf blowing is an entry-level job where the worker has little job security or control over the equipment he must use. [Transcript (Plume) p. 6; Fallows2, p. 8]
b. OSHA policy requires that employers use safe equipment to protect workers (e.g. battery-powered blowers) before requiring workers to use protective equipment, such as hearing protectors. This is important because hearing protectors are often not effective in preventing hearing loss because of their poor quality and the need for even the high quality protectors to fit correctly. [Elkins2, p. 3]