Tompkins County, along with 9 other regions, are starting the 4 phases presented by Governor Andrew Cuomo to UnPause NY State. Over the next few months, organizations throughout the State will face differing schedules and parameters for resuming business operations. With strong commitments to community partnership and public impact, the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce is continuing it’s L.E.A.R.N webinar series and shifting our focus to COVID-19 Business Reopen and Recovery.
On May 27, we held a discussion in our series of webinars focused on Health and Safety. Presenters included, Lilly Jan, Lecturer of Food and Beverage at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and Patrick Moylan, Owner of Moylan Safety Services. Our presenters focused specifically on reopening guidelines and best practices as they affect Office, Retail and Food and Beverage workplaces. Primary areas of focus included:
-Strategies on how to protect staff and guests as restaurants reopen for service of any kind
-Operational items to consider providing guests and staff
-Critical areas to consider in developing new operating procedures for reopening
-Return-to-operations strategies, procedures, and processes to reopen safely and in compliance with OSHA, CDC, and other applicable standards.
-Discuss the effectiveness of utilizing the Hierarchy of Safety Controls when developing your safety program.
-Dispel common “health and safety myths” around OSHA regulations and the use of PPE (especially respirators).
We anticipate that some New York businesses will have begun reopening, but most still face strict limitations. The webinar helped emphasize best practices toward safely reopening businesses while avoiding undue risks.
The format of the webinar was a 45 minute presentation of information followed by a 15 minute Q&A.
Please feel free to visit the Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Resources page where you will find up to date information and tools to help you, your business/organization, and your employees.