30 Health and Safety Requirements Determine Which Construction Projects Can Restart in Washington

New construction projects are still on hold, but the state of Washington is allowing some projects to restart under strict health and safety guidelines.

1 minute read

April 29, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle Light Rail Construction

brewbooks / Flickr

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has removed a strict prohibition on construction in the state, allowing some construction to restart under safe work requirements. 

"The revised order focuses on low-risk construction projects as part of a three-phase effort to fully restore construction activity in the state, which is critical to delivering needed infrastructure, housing, and future business opportunities," according to an article by Stephen Fesler. 

In the first phase, builders are required to follow 30 health and safety orders. "An overarching set of principles stipulated in the revised order, however, are that a project must have already been under construction prior to the order and social distancing protocols must be strictly enforced to be considered low-risk," explains Fesler. 

The Governor’s Office, the Washington State Department of Commerce, other relevant state agencies, and industry representatives worked together to create the health and safety requirement.

A recent Planetizen blog post by Kayla Matthews finds other examples from around the country of local governments and companies trying to put construction projects back to work as a short- and long-term economic stimulus during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Monday, April 27, 2020 in The Urbanist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

6 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City