No matter which reopening phase you are in, personal protective equipment of some form will be needed for the safety of your employees and customers. Supplies are spotty at best right now and it is challenging to be able to secure enough masks, wipes, hand sanitizer and some sizes of gloves continue to be difficult to find.

Make sure you are regularly reviewing your current levels of PPE supplies and as you move from one phase to another, the need for those items will increase.

Labor & Industries tells us that you need to have all the PPE available to employees to safely do their jobs. The Governor has stated by phase and business type requirements what PPE is to be expected for your workplace. If you do not have enough of any one of these items for your employees, then you’ll limit your ability to stay open.

We have a Safety Operational Plan checklist to review to make sure you have all the steps and processes in place to successfully remain open. As part of your daily routine, check on-hand inventory of PPE and work to make sure there will be enough inventory to get by for several weeks.

WR employs Rick Means who is available to members to help draw up safety plans and suggest topics for safety meetings. Contact him at 360-943-9198, Ext. 118 or [email protected]