As COVID-19 state of emergency lingers, learn what requirements remain
September 22, 2022
While Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that he plans to end the COVID-19 state of emergency by Oct. 31, 2022, some workplace requirements remain.
BIAW has updated its COVID-19 & Construction page with L&I’s latest guidance as of Sept. 14, 2022.
L&I’s latest guidance requires all employers to:
- Keep workers known or suspected to have COVID-19 from working around others by following appropriate isolation guidance outlined by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
- Provide hand washing facilities and supplies, and regularly clean and sanitize surfaces.
- Educate workers about COVID-19 prevention in the language they understand best.
- Provide written notice of potential COVID-19 exposure within one business day to all workers and the employers of subcontracted workers who were at the same work site as a person who tested positive (without disclosing the person’s identity).
- Report COVID-19 outbreaks to L&I within one business day when they involve 10 or more workers at a workplace or job site with more than 50 workers.
- Address COVID-19 notification, reporting, and prevention measures in the employer’s workplace-specific, written Accident Prevention Program or equivalent safety program.
- Allow workers to voluntarily wear masks (respirators, medical procedure masks, or cloth face coverings) and personal protective equipment (PPE) as long as it doesn’t create a safety or security issue.
Additional guidance and templates
Review the entire L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 web page for additional guidance.
Free at-home tests in Washington
Washington state offers free at-home tests via the sayyescovidhometest.org website each month.
When the COVID-19 state of emergency ends, BIAW will update this page with L&I’s updated guidance.