Gov. Inslee announces plan to ease restrictions on construction under stay home order
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Jay Inslee announced a plan Friday to ease some restrictions on low-risk commercial and residential construction under the stay home order.
The plan was developed by a construction roundtable group and focuses on the health of workers at job sites.
In order to ensure the health of those workers, the agreement requires all contractors to develop a comprehensive COVID-19 expose control, mitigation and recovery plan.
Workers will be required to wear proper PPE attire and follow social distancing protocols while on-site. They will also be required to participate in COVID-19 safety training, as well as maintain proper hygiene.
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READ: Elected officials in eastern Washington pushing for ‘slow reopening’ of economy
A COVID-19 supervisor will be designated to each job site to oversee all single-family residential sites where 7 or more workers are present, it reads in the plan, titled ‘Phase 1 Construction Restart.’
Employers will also be responsible for monitoring employees for possible COVID-like symptoms, as well as notifying all other employees if one does test positive.
“I think this is a thorough and thoughtful approach to allow construction to move forward,” Inslee said.
Inslee said companies with plans that meet the criteria can begin work as soon as he signs the order Friday.
The governor said this is an incremental step in helping Washington reopen its economy. He said similar processes will happen with other stakeholder groups to help develop procedures to reopen other industries when the time is right.
RELATED: Construction, outdoor recreation among COVID-19 restrictions that could soon be lifted in Washington
READ: Gov. Inslee suggests it’s unlikely Washington will be ready to reopen by May 4
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