Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Plan

Dear Customers and Partners,

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to have a global impact, we would like to share with you information, guidance, and policies we have in place that we can all use to protect each other at our facilities and on job sites. The jurisdictions of all three of our manufacturing facilities have issued a “stay at home” order; however, the official orders have deemed us as an essential business, as we support the construction industry and other essential businesses. It is a legal obligation for all essential businesses to have a written response plan to mitigate situations in the workplace. We are closely monitoring the situation as it evolves; if we need to implement further actions, we will let everyone know.

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

As defined by the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).  Patients with COVID-19 have had symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath; in severe cases, patients may have pneumonia in both lungs.  The CDC believes symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure; risk of infection is dependent on exposure.  For more information, you can visit www.cdc.gov/COVID19.

Prevention Methods

We actively promote the following prevention methods for our team members, but also for others we work with. 

  • The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to viruses.  Maintain a six-foot distance with others, avoiding any close contact, especially with those who might be sick (including shaking hands). Do not share personal materials (pens, water bottles, paperwork, hand tools, etc.) and clean up after yourself, so others don’t have to touch your personal belongings.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  If it’s not available, use hand sanitizer.  Access to soap and water, and hand sanitizer is available throughout our facilities (especially in the common areas where we are most likely to share germs – like by each of the printers, in the conference rooms and by timeclock stations).  Just like any other virus, germs can spread by touch.  Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze.  It’s best to use a tissue, then throw the tissue away; if a tissue isn’t available, use the corner of your elbow.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently used or shared with others.  Our cleaning staff is working diligently to clean the facilities.  Additionally, disinfecting wipes are available for individuals to clean their workstation surfaces, equipment and vehicles more thoroughly. Blue tape will be used to mark high-touch surfaces, indicating that we will disinfect them multiple times each day. Hallway doors will be propped open to allow for hands-free entry. Germs and bacteria can live on surfaces for several hours or even days; avoid sharing drinking glasses or other personal items with others. 
  • Gloves should be used when touching items that others will touch (including protective work gloves.) Vinyl or latex gloves are intended for single use.
  • Stay informed.  Follow the guidance of credible sources, like the CDC and WHO.  Pay attention to your health and those around you. The Company is sharing regular updates with our team members, several times per week.
  • No visitors are allowed in the building. Quick deliveries or pick-ups that support production activities will be permitted in the doorways or loading docks. Any urgent visitors (such as emergency building maintenance) must be approved by senior leadership prior to the visit. They will be asked to do a temperature scan and wear a mask.

For Our Team Members

  • All team members who have the capabilities to be working from home have been asked to work remotely during this time. They are to remain available during work hours and continue to follow protocol from their home offices. The bare minimum amount of administrative personnel will remain at the facility. This will limit on-site human presence at the facility.
  • Production and installation team members will continue working on essential business at the facility, allowing us to move forward with projects, while still maintaining safety precautions. We will continue to follow all guidelines established by the CDC and other government entities.
  • We will be performing daily body temperature scans using a non-invasive forehead infrared scanning thermometer for all on-site employees. This will be maintained confidentially and logged. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or greater will be sent home.
  • Sharing food will not be allowed during this time (such as bringing in treats). No one will be permitted to linger in the breakroom or lunchroom. You may use the vending service, use the refrigerator, sink, microwaves, etc., however, you will not be able to eat in there.
  • Attempt to stagger the use of shared spaces (such as restrooms, breakroom, lunchroom, and entering/ exiting the facility).
  • The CDC does not recommend the use of face masks in workplaces where it is not routinely recommended. In positions that require face masks as part of their safety PPE, they may continue to wear them. Others are not required to wear face masks; however, you may choose to wear one when working closely with others.
  • Meetings with customers should only be communicated virtually, using various methods of technology (phone calls, emails, webcam, etc.). In-person meetings will be prohibited. Necessary employee communication will only be permitted if all team members are at least 6 feet apart. Travel to job sites for essential business is still permitted (such as surveys and installations); however, we encourage communications prior to meeting to ensure that it won’t jeopardize the safety of anyone involved.
  • Installers or anyone leaving the facility to go to a jobsite, may be asked to complete the Health & Safety Checklist. They are also responsible to follow all protocol established at the jobsite, in addition to our protocol.

Health & Illnesses

  • Those who are feeling sick or experiencing any symptoms of fever, cough, or shortness of breath are encouraged to stay home to prevent spreading illnesses to others. Team members must immediately report symptoms associated with COVID-19 exposure to Human Resources. This is a zero-tolerance policy; if leadership is made aware of individuals at work who are sick, they will be sent home. They should not be returning to work until they have been cleared by a medical professional or symptoms have subsided for 24 hours.
  • If a team member or a member of their household is being tested for COVID-19, they must alert their leader or Human Resources so we can take proper precautions to mitigate exposure. They will be asked to self-quarantine until they receive the test results. Upon a negative test result, they will be permitted back to work.
  • If a team member of a member of their household tests positive for contracting COVID-19, they must follow the directives of their physician, the DPH, and the CDC; including but not limited to a quarantine directive for 14 days and be symptom-free before returning to work. Additionally, they must alert Human Resources so we can follow CDC guidelines for the workplace.

Travel

  • Anyone returning from personal travel from countries with Level 2 or 3 warnings as defined by the CDC will be self-quarantined for 14 days to monitor for coronavirus symptoms and be symptom-free before returning to work. International travel for personal reasons is currently prohibited. We ask the same of our customers and partners.
  • We advise that everyone follows their local “stay at home” orders. Domestic traveling for personal reasons is permissable, as long as all CDC travel recommendations are adhered to. Team members must monitor themselves for symptoms, and if they are symptom-free, they may return to work.
  • We do not have business-related travel on an international level. Business-related domestic travel via airfare will be postponed. Business-related local travel in a vehicle is permitted, as long as all guidelines are followed on a company and government level, and it has been approved by senior leadership.
  • We advise that everyone follows the “stay at home” orders and does not travel. All team members who are traveling outside of the local commuting area are asked to notify their leader or Human Resources and ensure they are following recommended travel guidelines by the CDC. Domestic travel for personal reasons will require team members to self-quarantine for 14 days and be symptom-free before returning to work.

Supply Chain

At this point, our facilities are operating with our standard processes.  Our vendors are still providing the necessary materials to create our products.  We request that you notify us as soon as you believe you have an actual delay in any part of your supply chain that will affect your ability to maintain the schedule for our projects.

Essential Business Operations

The jurisdictions of all three of our manufacturing facilities have issued a “stay at home” order; however, the executive orders have deemed us as an essential business, as we manufacture products supporting the construction industry, healthcare industry, and other essential businesses. The ISA (International Sign Association) has worked to ensure that the sign industry is considered an essential business that must remain open to serve vital infrastructure, manufacturing, and retail services throughout the country. The CISA guidelines include the sign industry as “critical infrastructure.”

  • Transportation and Logistics: “Manufacturers and distributors of lighting and communication systems, specialized signage and structural systems, emergency response equipment and support materials, printers, printed materials, packaging materials pallets, crates, containers, and other supplies needed to support manufacturing, packaging staging and distribution operations, and other critical infrastructure needs.”

Poblocki Sign Company is remaining open as an essential business. We will continue to follow all CDC guidelines at our facility and jobsites to prevent illness and avoid exposure.

Emergency Response Strategy

The health and safety of our team and those around us is a top priority, and if we needed to close our doors, it would be out of concern for our people. In the event of a shut down, we would follow our Disaster Recovery Policy and we would alert everyone we are working with and the impact it would have on our projects. All of our data is backed up and secured. We have manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. Should one facility need to be shut down, while our other facilities are still operational, our team will work together to help with the workload. Should all of our facilities need to shut down, we ask that everyone have patience and understanding for delays in deadlines while we focus on the safety of everyone involved.

How can you help?

We promote a team environment where everyone cares about the wellbeing of one another. In the spirit of concern and caution, we ask that you help us achieve our goals for health and safety by following our guidelines. Please notify us promptly and advise us on any of your employees, vendors, or consultants who have recently traveled, tested positive for COVID-19, or if someone will be in contact with one of our team members who is just feeling ill.

This is a fluid situation and we will continue to closely monitor it and provide guidance on our situation; as it evolves, our guidelines are subject to change. These practices will help protect us from possible contact with the virus and alleviate potential concerns in the workplace and on jobsites. We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our team and everyone around us. If you have any questions on our response plan, you may contact Kevin Madrzykowski, President & CEO, at 919-703-7681 or kmadrzykowski@poblocki.com, or Amanda King, People & Culture Leader, at 414-777-4234 or aking@poblocki.com.