Effective immediately, low-risk construction work in Washington State may resume ONLY if work activities do not require workers to be closer than six-feet together.  This policy will be strictly enforced by State agencies as per the COVID-19 worksite safety practices outlined in Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Health” Proclamation 20-25.  Just a few of directives are listed below that can be shared with your builder clients to help promote compliance & safety.

The below is an abbreviated overview of safety practices and requirements.  View the Gov. Inslee’s full proclamation for more detail.

• Develop a comprehensive plan of action to mitigate exposure and have it posted at each job site.
• All employees must sign a commitment to adhere to the above requirement.
• Face masks, gloves and eye protection must be worn at all times on the job site and provided by the employers
• All contractors have an obligation to keep a safe and healthy workplace in accordance with state and federal law.
• A designated site-specific Supervisor must monitor and enforce the COVID-19 job safety plan.
• On first day of return to work, COVID-19 Safety Training must be conducted on each site and continue thereafter.
• Social distancing of at least 6 ft. must be maintained at all times.
• Employer must provide PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for activity performed on the site
• Sanitation and Cleaning equipment shall be abundantly provided on all job sites.
• An Employee Health/Symptoms policy needs to be created and enforced for each job site.
• A Job Site Visitor/Employee attendance log must be kept and retained for at least 4 weeks.

Refer to your local HBA chapter for additional resources.

Your safety, and the safety of your employees and our insureds is paramount, and we must all work together to strictly enforce the requirements or risk the job sites being shut down.