Lindsay Greene, Chief Strategy Officer at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, discusses the necessary steps New York State manufacturers will take to ensure safe and compliant work environments for Phase 1 of reopening.

Because of closures, supply chains have been impacted. What are some of the major impacts and changes manufacturers will face when reopening? 

Through our partnerships and investments in key industries like advanced manufacturing and fashion, EDC was able to respond to COVID 19 and stand up some of the city’s supply chain to produce medical supplies for front-line workers during the pandemic. In the last few months, we partnered with 123 garment manufacturers which, retained and created 2,181 jobs to help manufacture disposable and reusable gowns for New York City health care providers. This critical moment has given us a firsthand view to some of the supply chain struggles faced by manufacturers and fashion brands. For context, there are 1,568 garment manufacturers in New York City, and many have been closed for the last few months or have pivoted their operations to respond to COVID-19.

Due to these closures, many supply chains have been disrupted including materials, logistics, sales, only to name a few. Material suppliers all over the world, will also be catching up with orders and shipping raw materials. Ensuring deliveries both locally and internationally will be integral to a successful re-opening. Second, the crux of how brands conduct business has shifted including changes in retail, direct to consumer increases, to pick up or delivery only shopping. Many retail shifts have a trickle-down effect to brands and their supply chain. Third, manufacturers will need to be flexible and work with brands closely, communicating regularly with their customers in order to manage expectations. Factories will need to prioritize customers and re-enforce relationships and their network in order to start manufacturing and shipping of orders. Strong vendor networks will be key to guarantee that they can deliver on their purchase orders from customers. Working with vendors and brands to make certain that time and action calendars are planned wisely will not only be important but will be integral to success.

Will manufacturers need clearance to reopen from local health authorities?

Manufacturers operating within New York City will need to follow the guidelines outlined by New York State. As of Monday, June 8th, New York City met the health metrics to move into phase 1 which includes re-opening of all manufacturing. All guidelines for operating safely can be found at Forward.ny.gov under the “New York City” section. Manufacturers are expected to read and comply with the guidelines outlined by the New York State Department of Health and complete the Business Affirmation form which affirms that the manufacturers have read and understand their obligations to operate in accordance with the state’s New York Forward reopening guidance.

Will there be limits to reopening?

All New York City manufacturers are required to follow federal and state laws and safety guidelines. According to state law, manufacturers are only able to reopen at 50% of the maximum occupancy for a particular area as determined by the certificate of occupancy. In order to re-open, there are mandatory requirements for social distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE), employee screening, hygiene, and cleaning of manufacturing facilities. For a quick reference of guidelines.

How can manufacturers best support their employees as they return to work? 

During the past couple of months, COVID-19 has seriously affected our city, businesses, and residents. As businesses contemplate re-opening, they will need to consider how COVID-19 may still be affecting their employees. Many employees that are working from home or are sheltering in place are adapting to new professional challenges while trying to juggle childcare and family obligations.

They may need to find alternatives to care-taking responsibilities and could also be concerned about their safety. Racial discrimination and fear of exposure may be top of mind as they re-enter the workforce. Employers will need to consider these factors as they look to their employees for the safe and secure re-opening of their manufacturing businesses.

As many garment manufacturers re-opened to produce PPE items during the city’s shut-down, they found that flexibility and reacting to employees’ concerns were key to keeping their workforce safe. The manufacturers also designed and implemented plans that include staggered schedules, increased frequency, and depth of cleaning all surfaces and equipment in common areas and screening their employees to ensure continued operations.

In addition to safety, mental health is likely affecting New Yorkers. For those employees who are feeling stress or anxiety about COVID-19, the city has created NYC WELL, a free resource offered in more than 200 languages. The website provides support services and a database that can connect people with services from a professional or for self-care.

The City is working with local and regional entities on how to gradually restore services in a way that is safe for employees and commuters, while supporting the broader reopening of the economy. We recognize that the subways and bus networks are critical for many New Yorkers and our policies will need to adapt to the MTA’s capacity.

What safety precaution will manufacturers need to put in place?

Manufacturers must ensure that a recovery is safe, and equitable for its workforce. There are many precautions manufacturing facilities must follow but knowing the signs and symptoms as well as training employees on new policies for work are important to ensure safety precautions are effective. Manufacturers will need to regularly stay up-to-date with state and federal requirements related to manufacturing activities. They are required to incorporate these changes into their operations which can be found on the New York State’s website. The listed guidance below is not a replacement to reviewing these local, state, or federal requirements but a short list of recommended guidelines.

Physical Distancing:

• Ensure that there is 6 feet distance between personnel
• Institute changes to the physical layout of the office and production space
• For any work indoors, limit workforce presence to no more than 50% max occupancy
• Tightly confined spaces should be occupied by only one individual at a time and if not possible, personnel should wear acceptable face coverings
• Post social distancing markers using tape or signs that denote 6 feet of spacing in commonly used areas
• Post signs in applicable multiple languages indicating safety recommendations to workforce including limiting of in-person gatherings, regular hygiene, keeping 6 feet apart.
• Establish designated areas for pick-ups and deliveries to limit outside contact as much as possible

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Employers are required to provide employees with face coverings at no-cost to the employee. New York City will provide 2 million face coverings for businesses and their employees. Locations for pick-up can be found on the city’s website.
• Limit sharing of objects and discourage touching of shared surfaces. If shared objects is unavoidable employers can provide trade-appropriate or medical grade gloves to employees.

Hygiene and Cleaning:

• Adhere to hygiene and sanitation requirements from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and guidance from NYC. Maintain cleaning logs on site to document date time and scope of cleaning.
• Provide and maintain hand hygiene stations for personnel, including hand washing with soap, water, and paper towel. Provide hand sanitizer that contains 60% or more alcohol in areas where hand washing may not be feasible.
• Provide and encourage employees to use cleaning or disinfecting supplies before and after use of shared and frequently touched surfaces followed by hand hygiene.
• Conduct regular cleaning and disinfection at least after every shift, daily, or more frequently as needed especially high transit areas such as common areas, restrooms, or elevators.
• Prohibit sharing of food and beverages.

Communication:

• Affirm you have reviewed and understand the state industry guidelines and that you will implement them.
• Post multi-lingual signage throughout your manufacturing site to remind workforce to adhere to proper hygiene, social distancing rules, using PPE, and cleaning and disinfecting protocols.
• Establish a communication plan for employees, visitors, and customers with a consistent means to update information.
• Maintain a continuous log of every person, including workforce and visitors who may come in contact with the work site or area.
• If a worker tests positive for COVID-19, employer must immediately notify state and local health departments and cooperate with contact tracing efforts, including notification of potential contacts, such as workers or visitors who had close contact with the individual while ensuring confidentiality which is required by state and federal laws and regulations.

Screening:

• Employees who are sick should stay home or return home immediately, if they become ill at work.
  • Assessment responses must be reviewed every day and such review must be documented.
  • Implement mandatory health screening assessment (e.g. questionnaire, temperature check) each day for employees and essential visitors
  • Employees who present with COVID-19 symptoms should be sent home to contact their health care provider for medical assessment and COVID-19 testing. If tested positive, employee may only return completing a 14-day quarantine. Employees who present with no symptoms but have tested positive in past 14 days may only return to work after completing a 14-day quarantine.
•  On-site screeners should be trained by employer identified individuals familiar with CDC, DOH, and OSHA protocols and wear appropriate PPE, including at a minimum, a face covering.
• Have a plan for cleaning, disinfection, and contact tracing in the event of a positive case

Are there any resources available to help manufacturers reopen safely?

As manufacturers re-open, they should follow local, state, and federal laws. New York State and New York City offer many resources to serve as guidelines to re-opening your manufacturing facilities.

• New York State Resources
  Overview of Phase One Industries
  Master Manufacturing Guidelines (long)
  Manufacturing Guidelines (short)
  Business Affirmation form
  Safety Plan Template
• New York City Resources
  Back to Work Playbook
  Reopen and Stay Safe at Work Flyer
  Worker Rights
  What Workers Need to Know
  NYC’s COVID-19 Citywide Information Portal
  Business Resources and Information

Is remote work possible for employees and how can manufacturers help make that possible?

When possible, allowing employees to work from home is a great option to keep their workforce safe. We know this may be hard for on-site manufacturing, however, business owners that can provide this flexibility can allow for delivery or pick up of cut goods and trimmings to employees. Although this may add to overhead, it may enable additional employees to re-enter the workforce.

For reference, the Phase 1 manufacturing State guideline

Summary of guidelines
Complete guidelines

New York City Economic Development Corporation creates shared prosperity across New York City’s five boroughs by strengthening neighborhoods and creating good jobs. NYCEDC works with and for communities to provide them with the resources they need to thrive, and we invest in projects that increase sustainability, support job growth, develop talent, and spark innovation to strengthen the City’s competitive advantage. To learn more about our work and initiatives, please visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.