Print & Graphic Communications Association will continue to update its membership about the new laws and developments in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The following is a summary of resources compiled by PIA and communications sent during this week.
Application Process Issued for the Paycheck Protection Act – Program Overview, Who Can Apply, How to Apply, Loan Details and Forgiveness
PIA Resources for Members – PIA’s Coronavirus Resource Page, Families First Act takes effect, FFCRA Posters Required
Form 7200 – Advance Payments of Employer Credits due to COVID-19 – IRS Form, who can apply,
Webinar: Practical Answers for Employers on the New Federal Coronavirus Laws: A Virtual Town Hall Meeting to be held on April 14th at 1:00 pm, Presented by Nick Fiorenza and Mike Dodd at Ferrara Fiorenza PC. Get all your questions answered live!
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Calculator Available
Many of our members have been looking at the PPP as an avenue to provide emergency funding over the next few months. The PPP is a low-interest loan program that includes grant (forgiveness) provisions and is designed to encourage small businesses to maintain payrolls and minimize layoffs. This is one of the most talked-about loan programs in America today and the facts regarding it are changing daily. The latest details are described below. We suggest you proceed with caution, but do not delay, as the dollars in this program may not last long.
ABOUT PPP
Loans issued under the “Paycheck Protection Program” are through authorized lenders under the SBA program, which will include many banks and business development centers. These loans are non-recourse loans and much can be forgivable.
- The formula for the maximum loan amount is 2.5 times defined payroll costs, using payroll costs from the last twelve months.
- Loan proceeds can be used for payroll costs, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
- All or a portion of the loan can be forgiven if employee headcount and dollars are maintained under certain formulas. Not more than 25 percent of the loan forgiveness may be attributable to non-payroll costs.
- Loans are for a term of two years with an interest rate of 1.0%. Payments are deferred on the loans for a period of six months – interest will accrue on these loans during the deferral period.
- There are no personal guarantees and no collateral required.
- Lenders may begin processing PPP loan applications as of Friday, April 3.
- These loans are “first-come, first-served”.
SUPPORT
Our friends at LB Carlson have supplied a PPP LOAN CALCULATOR to support your planning process.
Safety & Health
The following items were developed by Gary Jones, Director, EHS Affairs, Specialty Graphic Imaging Association, gjones@sgia.org
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility – Sanitation FAQs
Model Sanitation Plan – Model Plan including Training, Responsible Employees, Cleaning Procedures
OSHA Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – Provided by Steve Stankavage, EHS Manager, Graphic Arts Association, sstankavage@gaaonline.org
OSHA has issued guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19, download publication here. An important aspect to remember under the PPE standard: by issuing PPE to employees, you are acknowledging a risk to the health of the employees, which rightfully there is. Make sure you document why you are issuing PPE and what hazard it’s for.
Under the General Duty Clause: All employers are required to provide a healthy and safe workplace free of known hazards. By documenting your hazard assessment in the item above, you are satisfying this requirement.
Finally, dust masks (no matter the type: N70, N95, N100, full face, half face) are considered respirators. Therefore if you as an employer issue respirators to your employees, you are acknowledging you have a respiratory hazards that requires protection against. Employees must be trained in proper use, storage, and cleaning of said respirators. MAKE SURE YOU DOCUMENT THIS TRAINING FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE.
Any questions, please contact PIA.
Tim Freeman, President
Print & Graphic Communications Association
tim@printcommunications.org
office: (716) 691-3211
cell: (716) 983-3826
