Washington State is developing a three-phase approach to restarting the construction industry after a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state with the first reported cases in the U.S., Washington formed a construction advisory group to make recommendations on how to reopen construction activity. That group has sent its plan to Gov. Jay Inslee.
Most of the first-phase projects to reopen could include some commercial, residential, and road building jobs that were already started when the shutdown occurred. These low-risk projects would allow for safe social distancing of six feet of space between workers.
The second phase of projects would include new and existing jobs that can’t consistently conform to social distancing requirements. There would be requirements for personal protective equipment for workers stationed within six feet of each other.
Phase three involves projects with more opportunities for workers to crowd together such as skyscrapers where people have to use elevators and may not have access to hand-washing stations on every floor. The recommendations were a result of collaboration between labor and management. Every decision was reportedly unanimous.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2021
Ithaca, N.Y., votes to electrify, decarbonize all its buildings
First initiative of its kind in U.S.
Codes and Standards | Nov 29, 2021
FAA seeking design of air traffic control towers of the future
Call for design submissions for safe, efficient structures.
Codes and Standards | Nov 28, 2021
Efficient electric water heaters in multifamily buildings significantly reduce carbon emissions
In buildings with 5+ units, water heating uses more energy than space heating, cooling, or lighting.
Codes and Standards | Nov 23, 2021
New York’s Labor Law Section 240 and how it affects general contractors
The ‘Scaffold Law’ was first enacted by the New York State Legislature in 1885 and is one of the single most-used laws in construction accident cases.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2021
ABC’s Construction Technology Report finds focus on solving operational problems
More than half rely on project management software.
Codes and Standards | Nov 22, 2021
Contractors say 811 utility location system has significant flaws
More than half of firms in survey report damages, near misses because lines were unmarked or marked incorrectly.
Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2021
Creating net-zero/net-positive buildings is top priority in Green Building Trends 2021 report
Findings also demonstrate compelling business case for building green.
Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2021
Construction Startup Competition 2021 awards highlight tech innovations
AI-powered software to identify and explain critical issues in construction contracts takes top prize.
Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2021
Infrastructure bill contains $5 billion for energy efficiency in buildings
Wide range of programs to reduce energy use, improve materials, train workers.
Codes and Standards | Nov 17, 2021
Skanska will provide embodied carbon assessments on all new projects over 53,000 sf
Will use the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator it helped create.
