Washington Reopening

Update:  On May 15, 2020, the Governor issued a memorandum outlining the expansion of permitted construction under Phase 2 of the reopening of construction work in Washington.  The memorandum states that, effective May 15, 2020, all construction activity may proceed, whether previously authorized, newly authorized, existing, or not existing.  Any resumed or new construction must comply with the Phase 2 Construction COVID-19 Job Site Requirements, as well as any requirements of the specific county in which the project is sited.   Below are links to the memorandum regarding Phase 2 and the Phase 2 Construction COVID-19 Job Site Requirements:

On April 24, 2020, the Governor issued an order that begins opening construction in phases.  Phase 1 allows so-called “low-risk construction work” to resume effective April 24, 2020.  “Low-risk construction work” means existing construction projects that comply with the Governor’s 30-point safety requirements order (link below), and includes only jobsite activities do not require workers to be closer than six feet together.  In addition to the previously issued safety guidance for all essential workplaces (handwashing, social distancing, cleaning, etc.), the 30-point order includes specific PPE requirements and symptoms checks with thermometers for all workers.  If the existing project does not comply with the 30-point order, or a specific jobsite activity requires workers to be closer than six feet together, it is not considered “low risk” and therefore is not authorized to continue.

NOTE:  For projects that were authorized to continue under the Governor’s previous order (construction related to certain “essential critical infrastructure” or for emergency repairs or necessary to ensure structural integrity), such projects may continue and should comply with the new safety order.  If six foot distancing requirements cannot be maintained on previously authorized projects, a hazard assessment and control plan must be implemented identifying appropriate PPE use in accordance with Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries requirements (Labor & Industries Requirements