Manufacturers Association for Plastic Processors: Presidents/Owners March Peer Networking

Presidents/Owners Peer Networking

What businesses are considered essential to operate?
- Alan - Benesch: This is state-specific. PA does highlight plastics as essential. Other states are less specific. Most states tie specific industries to essentialness. For most states, if the business is essential, the entire business can operate except for in Michigan, which requires that you justify every employee. Remember the following: The government does not have the wherewithal to monitor and enforce.

Does a Presidential directive supersede any state policy?
- Right now, the presidential directive is a recommended list and is very general. Every state is currently building on that and getting more specific.
- A company in IN has provided letters to all employees.
- A company in CA has heard that employees have been pulled over in CA.
- In MI, it’s better to have a letter that describes what you are doing to keep people safe.

Keys to a letter stating your business is essential:

Reference the State’s Order
Make a comment that you are an essential business and have consulted legal advice
Identify the sector you are servicing
Adopting and following CDC guidelines for HSE
Who is essential:
1. Finance
2. IT
3. Production Floor Employees
4. ADMIN / not necessarily
5. Marketing / not necessarily

Have you had someone test positive for Coronavirus, and if so, what did you do or what do you recommend other than cleaning?
- One company’s plan is if it happens, they will shut down for 3 days, then potentially have a commercial cleaner cover the plant.
- A company is constantly cleaning to avoid it. However, if there is a positive case, they will shut down the plant. They have a task force ready to deep clean the facility, but only if necessary.
- A third company has an emergency response plan for different scenarios.
  - Sick household/relative: Communicate that to HR; direct employee to self-quarantine; employee must see a healthcare provider.
  - Sick employees experiencing symptoms: Must remain home, contact healthcare providers for testing; if negative, they will return to work after healthy again. If positive, they will quarantine for 14 days and other employees that worked closely with them will be sent home until they can prove they are not infected. A deep clean in the area the employee works will be carried out.
- They also have a specific phone number to communicate so all employees get the same information

Alan – Benesch’s reaction with 2 cases:

Self-quarantined and got tested.
When they tested positive, the entire office was closed.
Must maintain anonymity when disclosing that someone has been affected.
Send employees home who were in contact with the infected employee.
The office was cleaned professionally.
They received notes from doctors that employees could go back to work.
What is currently being done relative to measuring employee body temp to assess potential virus issues?
- One company started on taking temperatures on Monday. They have been using a non-contact temperature gun. They had to practice with it to set the standard. There were some inaccuracies, so they logged all temps and found the average and standard deviation with a confidence interval. Anybody over 98 on the gun was put in the office for 30 minutes and had to retake the temp.
- Another company is not mandating temp checks but asking employees to self-check at home. Alan verifies this is a BEST practice. If you do have to do it at the facility, make sure you sanitize it between uses.
- A third company has employees take their temp before coming work. They have provided head strip thermometers, which are only a few dollars at the store.
Are there any out of ordinary things that people are doing to safeguard their employees? Using separation; good ideas on testing
- One employee was given a product called phone soap – UV light package that kills bacteria and viruses on phone, which is 18 times more contaminated than the toilet.
- One company is making sure that no more than 10 people are in the lunchroom at a time. We split people up to 5 with correct distance and adjusted schedules. No physical meetings; using Zoom instead. They have a designated person for cleaning per department.
- Another company has put a simply soft sink next to the employee clock-in area – could be great for any high traffic area.
- A third company purchased the touchless automated dispenser with signs DO NOT ENTER unless hands are cleaned.
- A different company has its employees assessed before entering the building. They have locked ALL doors with NO visitors. Everyone that enters must complete a questionnaire. Truckers do not come in the building and exchange paperwork outside.
How are others finding cleaning supplies to maintain cleanliness?
- One company has found that going to the name brand stores is not good. SAMS club has done a good job at keeping supplies stocked.
- A company has employees shop on behalf of the company and refunds with receipt evidence.
- A few companies have a janitorial company with supplies on hand for purchase.
- A different company was able to get denatured alcohol and diluting with distilled water to make a cleaning solution.
- Another idea is to buy the aloe mixture and putting in small bottles. Also, diluting bleach with distilled water to make a cleaning solution. 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water.
Has anyone see interruption to their supply chain?
- FedEx refused to deliver to CA last week, so they had to find other means. It is very possible that suppliers could shut down and interrupt your business.
- If your supplier shuts down, it might be a good idea to try and buy from fellow manufacturers that have what you need as opposed to only reaching out to vendors.
- One company had a freight forwarder ask if it was a life-sustaining product. We used the governor’s mandate that we are essential.
- Suppliers are asking one company which industry you are going to use the raw material for. BASF is telling people to get orders in now because of potential restrictions.
If your business isn't shut down, what are you doing to ensure the availability of working capital?
- SBA Loans are possible, and companies recommend that you apply for the loan now.
- Alan – Benesch says that the SBA is not checking right now and taking you for your word. They don’t have the budget to check every little thing, so apply now.
- Banks are waiving their covenants right now because the government is holding them to it.

To listen to the full conversation, click here.