Additional Resources

OSHA recommendations designed to keep manufacturing workers safe during pandemic

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration has just issued the following recommendations to keep manufacturing workers safe during the COVID-19 epidemic.

• Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
• Establish flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts), if feasible.
• Practice sensible social distancing and maintain six feet between co-workers, where possible.
• For work activities where social distancing is a challenge, consider limiting the duration of these activities and/or implementing innovative approaches, such as temporarily moving or repositioning workstations to create more distance or installing barriers (e.g., plexiglass shields) between workstations.
• Monitor public health communications about COVID-19 recommendations for the workplace and ensure that workers have access to and understand that information.
• Train workers on how to properly put on, use/wear, take-off, and maintain protective clothing and equipment.
• Allow workers to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent spread of the virus.
• Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.
• Discourage workers from using other workers’ tools and equipment.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List Nor that have label claims against the coronavirus.
• Promote personal hygiene. If workers do not have access to soap and water for handwashing, provide alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Provide disinfectants and disposable towels workers can use to clean work surfaces.
• Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/coronavirusor call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Paycheck Protection Program

After additional appropriations from Congress, new applications are being accepted as of Monday, April 27.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program provides loans as a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities.

Businesses can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any participating federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution.

Here’s a list of participating West Virginia financial institutions:

FINANCING & LOANS

The U.S. Small Business Administration‘s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with advances of up to $10,000 and working capital loans of up to $2 million. Details

The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) does not provide direct loans but can assist small businesses in identifying funding options and advice in structuring loans and refinancing. Details  

The CARES Act provides up to $377 billion to help prevent workers from losing jobs and small businesses from closing due to economic losses caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Details 

HEALTH & SAFETY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers specific guidance about how to reduce the risk of virus transmission, maintain a safe work environment and keep your business operational during this crisis. Details

The CDC has issued specific steps individuals can take to avoid getting sick and spreading COVID-19. Details

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration provides detailed information on preparing your workplace in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Details 

The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources maintains a COVID-19 resource page, which includes the latest information about how the virus is affecting the state. Details

The World Health Organization offers guidance on how to minimize risk in the workplace. Details 

TAXES

The IRS has extended the deadline for individuals and businesses to pay and file taxes until July 15, 2020. Details   

The West Virginia State Tax Department has implemented several changes to tax policy in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Details

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

The State of West Virginia has waived the waiting period and relaxed requirements for those seeking unemployment compensation. Details 

DISASTER PLANNING

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provides resources for how businesses should prepare and react during the pandemic. Details 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers information about how to develop and implement a business continuity plan to ensure operations during times of disaster. Details 

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides disaster preparedness advice about how to manage your business during emergencies. Details   

Call for additive manufacturers

to assist in the fight against coronavirus

The coronavirus outbreak presents an opportunity for makers and manufacturers of all sizes to support healthcare workers on the frontlines of this national health crisis by supplying 3D-printed personal protective equipment (PPE), including face shields and masks.

These links direct you to resources, expertise and access points that offer help by providing designs and connecting healthcare facilities with 3D printers:

• AMERICA MAKES

• STRATASYS

• MARKFORGED

• 3D SYSTEMS

As an early leader in the use of 3D printing and a founding member of America Makes – the nation’s leading and collaborative partner in additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing technology research and innovation – RCBI is focused on meeting the extraordinary challenges we face during this outbreak.

RCBI is using digital technology to help overcome this pandemic by taking advantage of additive manufacturing technology and 3D printing systems manufactured by Stratasys, 3D Systems, MakerBot, CubeX, Markforged, Formlabs, Dimension and Lulzbot.

We want to encourage and facilitate the mass mobilization of private industry efforts.