By Karen Robes Meeks
In order to finish reviewing and updating jobsite safety plans to protect against COVID-19 spread, the Port of Seattle announced that it will temporarily stop approximately 20 construction projects from April 9 to April 13.
Northwest Seaport Alliance projects are not affected by the temporary pause, the port said. Contractors were required to turn in updated safety plans by March 27 to show how they would apply public health recommendations that minimize COVID-19 spread at their job sites.
According to the port, contractors have already enacted a number of health recommendations such as social distancing and more sanitization.
“Maintaining safety, health, and wellbeing is our top priority,” said Port of Seattle Executive Director Steve Metruck. “We need to work with our contractors so that they can establish effective safety plans and practices that can carry us forward for the next weeks and months. Our workers and the community will be better off now and in the long run if we pause now to get construction safety right.”