NIA Informs
COVID-19 and related information for the insulation industry.
Extended for NIA Member Companies: A Free Call with Legal Counsel

Now through Sept. 30
In the spirit of aiding all of our members during this critical time, NIA Legal Counsel Gary Auman of Auman, Mahan & Furry has offered to respond to 1 safety matter question, per NIA member company, via telephone call or email. Thank you, Gary, for your generosity and your safety expertise.

Contact Auman, Mahan & Furry at 937-223-6003.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting/Sanitizing: What’s the Difference?

The best practice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections is routinely cleaning and disinfecting/sanitizing surfaces, the CDC says. To effectively remove and eliminate the virus, however, workers need to understand that the terms “cleaning” and “disinfecting/sanitizing” aren’t interchangeable. CDC explains that cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It doesn’t kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting/sanitizing refers to using chemicals (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectants) to kill germs on surfaces. This process doesn’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Training during COVID-19: Registration Now Open
Introduction to Mechanical Insulation, Part 1
The 2-day intro-only online course is excellent training for new employees to educate them about the mechanical insulation industry and products. Give your remote workers a new understanding of the industry in just 2 days online, Sept. 30–Oct. 1.

Certification Level Course, Part 2
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Insulation Inspector, the interactive class will continue with Part 2 on Oct. 6–7. This 4-day course will educate participants on how to inspect and verify that the materials and the insulation system have been installed in accordance with the mechanical insulation specifications.

Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Unemployment Insurance and Teleworking

Teleworking Guidance
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division issued a Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB), which helps clarify what an employer must do to track work done by employees who are teleworking. This bulletin was issued to help employers who are currently allowing employees to telework due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the bulletin applies to all telework or remote work arrangements regardless of whether they arose from COVID-19 or not. Click here to read more.

Unemployment Insurance Guidance
The U.S. Department of Labor also released guidance for President Trump’s executive order on expanded unemployment insurance, called the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. The LWA program provides most unemployment insurance claimants up to an additional $400 per week in benefits. Click here to read more.
Stay Safe with Virtual or Private Hosted Training Courses from NIA

Choose from NIA's Introduction to Mechanical Insulation Course (2-day course) or the full Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification course (4-day course). Both training courses can be held virtually or at the location of your choice and you can invite your employees, members, and guests.

Contact training@insulation.org for pricing and more information. Discounted pricing is available to NIA members, Gold-Elite Foundation contributors, and engineers. Click here to download a flyer with more information about the benefits of hosting a course.
SBA Is Still Accepting Economic Injury Disaster Loan Applications

Small businesses, private nonprofits, and agricultural businesses impacted by COVID-19 can still apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). EIDL proceeds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation to health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments. NIA applied for and received EIDL funds. Click here to read more.
Congressional Oversight Committee Critical of Main Street Lending Program Activity

The Congressional Oversight Commission authorized to review the CARES Act programs recently issued its fourth report, including recommendations on the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP). The Commissioners were critical of the program's modest initial activity thus far and agree that time is of the essence. As of Aug. 19, 2020, eligible lenders had issued loans totaling $496.8 million under the program. The Federal Reserve’s participation amount in these loans is $472 million—about 0.07% of the program’s $600 billion lending capacity. Among the recommendations are decreasing the MSLP's minimum loan size, extending the maturity for Main Street loans from 5 to 7 years and pushing back amortization to year 5, expanding the program to nonbank lenders, and creating enforceable employee retention mandates.

New Avenues to Connect during COVID-19

In this time of social distancing, are you looking for new ways to promote your brand? NIA is now offering the opportunity to provide branded items (notebooks, pens, hand sanitizer, etc.) to individuals taking NIA's Thermal Insulation Inspector Certification course. This includes online and in-person courses! For more information and pricing details, please contact training@insulation.org.
NIA Informs Archive

NIA Informs newsletter provides updates to help your business find resources to recover faster during COVID-19. Looking for something you read in NIA Informs? Find past issues on NIA's COVID-19 web page.

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