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covid-19 best practices for the long term

3/26/2020

March 26, 2020 -  Latest Trends and Best Practices, provided by KPA (ARA's Automotive Recycling Educational and Training Resource Partner)

2020 Research: Where Poor EHS Performers Fall Short
KPA’s State of the Industry report shows poor performers face more EHS challenges than average companies do—and struggle harder to respond to those challenges. Read more »

How to Prevent COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Infection in the Workplace: Best Practices
The coronavirus may be novel but infectious diseases are nothing new. Many of the same methods used to control other infections can stop the spread of COVID-19. Read more »

The Link Between Safety and Good Housekeeping
Housekeeping is a crucial part of any EHS program. See how cleaning improves safety and learn what hazards to look out for in your organization. Read more »

Use This List of COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
We’ve compiled a list of the most helpful coronavirus resources we could find to help you navigate this public health crisis. Read more »

COVID-19 Resource Center
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we’re committed to helping you keep your workforce healthy. KPA will be sharing free EHS expertise and best practices here. Continue to check this resource page for updates.
COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER

As always, information can be found also on ARA's COVID-19 Updates Page

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Who are essential employees?

3/24/2020

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Download this document to review!

MEMORANDUM ON IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WORKERS DURING COVID-19 RESPONSE

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“transit” letters for employees going to and from their “essential” businesses

3/24/2020

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Click HERE to down a sample of a “transit” letter for employees going to and from their “essential” businesses.

This downloable Word Document letter says:

[USE COMPANY LETTERHEAD]
[DATE]

According to [State] Executive Order [statute number], [Employee name] [Work ID #] is allowed to travel to and from [Business name] deemed an “essential business” during the COVID-19 pandemic. This business is classified as essential in the transportation sector because it provides automotive repair parts for [State] citizens and repair facilities.

In addition, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, dated March 19, 2020, “automotive repair and maintenance facilities” as well as “employees who repair and maintain vehicles” are deemed a critical infrastructure workforce and work must be continued during the current health crisis.

[Employee name] is an essential employee of [Business name].

If you have any questions, please call [Owner’s or Supervisor’s name and phone number].

REMEMBER TO ALSO PROVIDE INFOMATION FROM YOUR STATE'S DECLARATION REGARDING AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES AS ESSENTIAL. CALL ARA IF YOU NEED HELP LOCATING THAT INFORMATION .

ARA Phone: (571) 208-0428 | staff@a-r-a.org

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guidance for business and employers & LINKS

3/19/2020

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DOWNLOAD THIS LIST OF RESOURCES BY CLICKING HERE.

The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America - 15 Days to Slow the Spread

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For updates from CDC, please see the following:

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19.

To prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, use the guidance described below and on the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers web page.

Below are recommended strategies for employers to use now. In-depth guidance is available on the CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers web page:
   •   Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
   •   Separate sick employees
   •   Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
   •   Perform routine environmental cleaning
   •   Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps
   • Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from designated countries with risk of community spread of Coronavirus, and information for aircrew, can be found on the CDC website.

Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:

Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Common Issues Small Businesses May Encounter:

Capital Access – Incidents can strain a small business's financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). Businesses should prepare by exploring and testing their capital access options so they have what they need when they need it. See SBA’s capital access resources.
Workforce Capacity – Incidents have just as much impact on your workers as they do your clientele. It’s critical to ensure they have the ability to fulfill their duties while protected.
Inventory and Supply Chain Shortfalls – While the possibility could be remote, it is a prudent preparedness measure to ensure you have either adequate supplies of inventory for a sustained period and/or diversify your distributor sources in the event one supplier cannot meet an order request.
Facility Remediation/Clean-up Costs – Depending on the incident, there may be a need to enhance the protection of customers and staff by increasing the frequency and intensity by which your business conducts cleaning of surfaces frequently touched by occupants and visitors. Check your maintenance contracts and supplies of cleaning materials to ensure they can meet increases in demand.
Insurance Coverage Issues – Many businesses have business interruption insurance; Now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.
Changing Market Demand – Depending on the incident, there may be access controls or movement restrictions established which can impede your customers from reaching your business. Additionally, there may be public concerns about public exposure to an incident and they may decide not to go to your business out of concern of exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources Partners and District Offices have trained experts who can help you craft a plan specific to your situation to help navigate any rapid changes in demand.
Marketing – It’s critical to communicate openly with your customers about the status of your operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented, and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your business. Promotions may also help incentivize customers who may be reluctant to patronize your business.
Plan – As a business, bring your staff together and prepare a plan for what you will do if the incident worsens or improves. It’s also helpful to conduct a tabletop exercise to simulate potential scenarios and how your business management and staff might respond to the hypothetical scenario in the exercise. For examples of tabletop exercises, visit FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-planning-exercises

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General LINKS YOU NEED

3/19/2020

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Download the "SBA GUIDE to COVID-19" offers guidance for businesses and employers. It offers links to information and agencies to keep you informed.
CLICK HERE

MORE LINKS FOR YOUR INFORMATION

U.S. Department of Labor Workplace Safety Guidance CLICK HERE

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 CLICK HERE

Small Business Administration (SBA) resources and information for businesses CLICK HERE

Center for Disease Control and Prevention CLICK HERE

The President's Coronavirus Guidelines CLICK HERE

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ARA's LINKS TO COVID-19 Business Resources

covid-19 best practices for the long term

Who are essential employees?

“transit” letters for employees going to and from their “essential” businesses

guidance for business and employers & LINKS

General LINKS YOU NEED

ARA

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