Baton Rouge, LA, July 3, 2020:

The Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance, an association whose members are over 60 industrial sites, has issued a new guidance document for preparing industrial workplaces, employees, and contractors for COVID-19.  COVID-19 has impacted the nation and the Baton Rouge region profoundly and industrial sites in the area responded to the emergency in many ways.  Despite most facilities being critical infrastructure, required to continue producing during the Stay-at-Home order, plants responded by slowing some construction and maintenance that could be deferred safely.  In addition, non-essential employees were asked to work from home.

Over the last few months, the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance gathered the best experts in the industrial community from area facilities, contract maintenance and construction companies, medical and safety providers and held a series of workshops and listening meetings. Members and staff from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the Alliance Safety Council participated as well.  Brandon Smith, Associate Director of Safety, Health and Security for GBRIA explained that “we developed the guide through a series of meetings with plant managers, maintenance and safety managers and then a specific sub-committee was formed to compile all the great information shared by so many.”  The result is a very comprehensive and valuable document that not only covers government issued guidelines but also specific actions for industry. The new guide helps plants decrease the spread of COVID-19 by providing guidance in the areas of 1) Site Entry Requirements, 2) Performing Work, and 3) Social Distancing and Sanitization with several sub-categories under each area.