T here are almost 570,000 manufacturing businesses in the U.S., according to data collected earlier this year by IBISWorld, with the top-five manufacturing segments, based on revenue, listed as chemical products; computer and electronic products; food, beverage and tobacco products; motor vehicles and parts and fabricated metal products, according to the National Association of Manufacturers. The number of companies in this business sector has declined 1.3 percent per year on average over the past five years, however, the manufacturing industry is the fourth- largest buyer of promotional products, comprising 6.3 percent or $1.5 billion of total sales, according to PPAI research. The National Institute of Standards and Technology reports that Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan have the largest concentration of manufacturers. It’s a segment of business that has been hard hit by the COVID-19 lockdowns, especially those factories turn- ing out autos and aircraft, and oil and gas producers, but also meat processing plants where virus outbreaks have caused multiple shutdowns and backlogs in production. Now that most factories are reopening, the challenge is to keep workers safe and provide adequate social distancing. Because most factories are closed to the public, the focus inside is on maintaining employee health and safety. Reopening requirements vary by state and coun- ty and some, but not all, require workers to wear masks or face shields; the same goes for screening employees for fever and symptoms before they begin their shifts and/or after they finish work. To create more distance between workstations, some companies are installing acrylic barriers and adding floor directional decals to remind workers to stay six feet apart. It’s a good idea to centrally locate hand sanitizer dispensers near worksta- tions and at entrances and exits, too. Plants & Factories
PRODUCT CHECKLIST FOR PLANTS & FACTORIES
● Clock for
● Personal stickers for hard hats
breakroom
● Flashlights ● Freestanding or
● Protective eye gear ● Reflective safety vests ● Retractable badge holders ● Safety earplugs ● Sanitizer wipes to clean machines after use ● Single-use,
permanently installed distancing barriers
● Hands-free
sanitizer stations
● Hard hats ● Imprinted floor decals, mats and signs ● Lunch coolers for workers ● Magnets imprinted ● Multi-purpose tools ● Non-contact digital thermometers ● Pedestal or A-frame signage with reminders with safety reminders
disposable forehead strip thermometers
● Tape measure with carabiner ● Uniforms ● Vinyl banners with safety tips ● Wall calendars ● Work gloves
7
THE PLAYBOOK TO RESTART BUSINESSES
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog