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 | Feb 22, 2019
California’s carbon reduction goals to be aided by programs to convert heating, hot water systems
Switch from propane to electricity is critical to plan.
Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2019
Researchers develop software that can calculate potential solar energy yield at any location
Accounts for dynamic shading from trees, buildings and other structures.
Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2019
Hospitals not making much progress in reducing their carbon footprint
Energy benchmarking survey shows flat emissions pattern over past 20 years.
Codes and Standards | Feb 15, 2019
Super Bowl stadium helps alleviate Atlanta’s flood problems
Capacity to store more than 2 million gallons of storm water on site.
Codes and Standards | Feb 14, 2019
ISO publishes first global BIM standards
Based on British standard and a publicly available standard.
Codes and Standards | Feb 12, 2019
Property technology adoption accelerates in commercial real estate industry
New business models create disintermediation.
Codes and Standards | Feb 11, 2019
Investing in downtowns pays off for cities, regions
Benefits include driving tax revenue, business activity, and smart development.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2019
Oslo, Norway’s downtown goes virtually car-free
Parking spots converted to bike lanes, transit is fast and easy.
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2019
New North Carolina energy code has extensive lighting control requirements
Includes automatic shut offs for buildings of all sizes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2019
Solar carports can help with California’s Title 24 mandates
Can be combined with virtual net-metering software and tax-enabled financing.