Dear VMA Members,
Governor Northam announced today that
recreational businesses such as movie theaters and gyms shall remain closed until May 8 (
extending Executive Order 53). This will include limiting public gatherings of more than 10 people. It also does not affect the "stay at home order" effective until June 10. Manufacturing operations remain "essential services" and are not affected by this extension. Further, it appears that the Commonwealth's COVID-19 response is slowing the infection rate and public health services are stabilizing.
The VMA continues to advocate for additional regulatory flexibility and support to help manufacturers react to and stabilize from the effects of COVID-19. Last week we requested over $50 billion in regulatory relief from Governor Northam in amendments to bills that passed this General Assembly session. The Governor responded with only a four month extension (May 1, 2021) of the minimum wage increase, project labor agreements, prevailing wage contracting and local government employee collective bargaining legislation implementation dates. We will continue to advocate for relief from many of the new bills that passed this General Assembly session, especially in light of the COVID-19 economic impact.
Speaking of economic impact, the VMA and the Virginia Coalition for a Strong Virginia Economy have begun discussing the preparation of a COVID-19 economic recovery plan for the Commonwealth. We have to get people back to work safely and mitigate the risk of increased COVID-19 infections and deaths. Through enhanced safety practices, expanded PPE usage, innovative technology such as thermal temperature scanners and UV-C light sanitation, it may be possible to get back to work faster than otherwise expected. But, there has to be a reliable supply of PPE, technology resources, hospital/healthcare resources, and this is a top priority of the VMA.
We will continue to maintain regular updates to the VMA's
COVID-19 Resource Center
and industry best practices on VMA's
Facebook page
. We also expect to have a new exclusive PPE supply source for members available within the week.
As we move into the stabilization phase of this pandemic, we will rely upon you for guidance on how to quickly transition into a recovery phase. Government leaders need innovative and practical ideas in order to safely get Virginia back to work. Virginians need hope and security, we can help create both.
Please contact us if we can help you or your company.
Best Wishes,
Brett A. Vassey
President & CEO
Webinars
11:30 am, April 20th - VMA COVID-19 Weekly Webinar
. Update members on regulatory relief, government resources, and industry best practices. The following speakers will provide updates and answer questions:
- Brett Vassey, VMA President & CEO - Regulatory Relief Update
- Kaitlyn Crow, VMA Communications & Marketing Manager - MFG Makes Virginia: Digital Essential Services Campaign
- Heritage Crystal Clean - COVID-19 Emergency Sanitation Services
- Adam Monk, President, McClung Company - Sourcing PPE
- Courtney M. Malveaux, Partner, Jackson Lewis LLC (former VA Commissioner of Labor & Industry) - OSHA-VOSH COVID-19 Compliance (Part 2 Presentation)
Call-in Options:
Meeting Number:
623 975 548
Password:
VMACOVID19
or
Join by phone:
+1-510-338-9438 (USA Toll)
Access Code:
623 975 548
Resources
**NEW** Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
-
**NEW** Food and Drug Administration (FDA) -
COVID-19 Critical Products
Also, please provide us with details about donations of PPE or other critical products, additional production you may have put into motion, and/or new products you may be willing to manufacture to meet COVID-19 needs. We are developing a new public relations campaign to highlight these contributions made by the manufacturing sector, its suppliers and their brave employees. The MFGmakesVA campaign will be discussed on the next member COVID-19 Update webinar.
#MFGmakesVA
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New Course: COVID-19 Microlearning Package
MSI's team of online learning experts is here for you. To help protect and support you,
DuPont Safety Solutions
created a series of microlearning videos now available via a new mobile app. We are available to provide guidance and technical assistance to help your employees utilize their personal devices to access these courses
in the most convenient way possible - from anywhere, at any time.
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Emerging viruses and superbugs are a reality and in today's globalized world. It’s critical to understand what viruses are, how they are transmitted, and measures we can take – such as social distancing – to help slow the spread.
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Universal Precautions
Against Infection
By understanding how viruses are spread and by taking simple universal precautions, employees can protect themselves, their colleagues and their families from illness – and from misinformation.
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Fear and Anxiety:
Living with Uncertainty
While it's normal to feel anxiety when faced with uncertainty, you can take action to reduce your anxiety and fear. Help your employees cope and protect their mental health during and after the pandemic.
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Working Remotely:
Stay Productive and Connected
Working from home – telecommuting – can yield many benefits, such as more freedom, fewer office distractions, increased productivity, and less risk of spreading illness. Teach employees how they can maximize the advantages and minimize the disadvantages.
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New and Improved Courses:
Industrial Safety Readiness Training
MSI is pleased to announced that we can new offer ISRT courses in HTML, so the learnder can take the training courses on the go. Training can now also be done in "down time" - the system can track how much time the leader spends training on the curriculum, so the courses can be done fully from home.
The new and improved ISRT includes:
Manufacturing/Construction Area Courses (English & Spanish Options)
- Asbestos Awareness: Do Not Disturb
- Bloodborne Pathogens: Just the Facts
- Safety Matters: Confined Space Entry
- Safety Matters: Electrical Safety
- HazCom: In Sync with GHS
- Safety Matters: Hearing Protection
- Safety Matters: Lockout/Tagout
- Safety Matters: PPE
- Safety Matters: Slips, Trips, & Falls
Non-manufacturing Area Courses (English & Spanish Options)
- Bloodborne Pathogens: Just the Facts
- HazCom: In Sync with GHS
- Portable Fire Extinguishers
- Safety Matters: PPE
- Stairways and Ladders: A Safe Step
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Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame Nominations
While we won't be meeting in-person for a while, the WiM (national) is accepting nominations online for their Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. This award honors women who have made outstanding contributions during the course of their established careers in manufacturing.
Click here
to view more and nominate an amazing woman in manufacturing.
Monthly Virtual Learning Series
A core function or the WiM-Virginia Chapter is to provide customized learning and professional development opportunities for females in industry, whether their career goal is to join the C-Suite, senior management or middle management role. In light of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, providing members with quality online professional development resources that they can access from their home or office has become a top priority.
The WiM Virtual Learning Series has been expanded from bi-monthly to monthly in 2020.
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Manufacturing Skills Institute 9th Annual Workforce Symposium
August 6th
Talley Workforce Center
John Tyler Community College
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Virginia Environmental Health & Safety Conference
September 23 & 24
Hilton Richmond Hotel & Conference Center
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Virginia Competitiveness Forum & WiM-Virginia Recognition Luncheon
November 17
Williamsburg Lodge
Conference Center
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VMA Committee Meetings/Webinars
VMA Workforce Solutions Committee
April 23, 2020
11:00AM - 3:00PM
Virginia Chemistry Council Meeting
May 7, 2020
10:00AM - 1:00PM
VMA Air Subcommittee Meeting
May 20, 2020
11:00AM - 2:00PM
In the interest of safety during COVID-19, all committee meetings will be held via WebEx. Call-in information will be provided by
Kimberly Noonan
upon registration.
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Upcoming MIBE Executive Roundtables
The next MIBE Executive Roundtable is TOMORROW, April 16.
WebEx MIBE Executive Roundtable #1
April 16, 2020
1:00PM - 5:00PM
*Call-in information will be provided upon registration.
WebEx MIBE Executive Rountable #2
May 18, 2020
9:00AM - 2:00PM
*Call-in information will be provided upon registration.
These meetings are part of a four-part series to identify and prioritize the contracting challenges and value-chain opportunities of the ship building/ship repair industry and its supply chain.
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Omega Protein Open House
Omega Protein - Reedville Facilities
Smith Building
610 Medhaden Rd.,
Reedville, VA 22539
July 22, 2020
10:00AM - 3:30PM
All VMA members and friends are welcome!
Now in their 142nd year of continuous operation in the Commonwealth, Omega Protein’s Reedville facilities remain a key economic driver of the community and of the Northern Neck of Virginia. The facilities include fish processing and a Health and Science Center and Oil Refinery, millions of dollars of new processing equipment, innovative product storage, and significant environmental improvement initiatives that have been implemented in recent years.
Guests at this Open House will meet at Omega Protein’s newly-renovated Smith Building on the waterfront. Guests will also learn about the health and regulation of the menhaden fishery.
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