Public Works
Public Works Blog
Road crews hit the road with COVID precautions in place
Posted On: June 04, 2020
Chelan County road crews are back on the road in full force after more than two months of working with reduced crew sizes during the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.
And they returned June 1 with several COVID-related precautions in place.
“These precautions are not just for the safety of our crew members,” said Brad Harn, road maintenance supervisor for Chelan County Public Works. “They are also for those people whom our employees go home to every night.”
In mid-March, crews were divided into smaller teams that worked a rotating schedule. Those not on the road were placed on call. Public Works’ goal during the governor’s order was to maintain county roads for the public while also keeping crews safe. At the time, 2020 Preservation was put on hold.
Since May, all crew members also participated in COVID training. In training, expectations were laid out to get everyone on board with a variety of procedural changes. And given the fluid nature of guidance and requirements from the state, modifications will be made as necessary.
Among the changes is the use of masks. While the public may see construction crews in the valley wearing masks on construction sites, Phase 1 Construction Restart Requirements do not apply to our road maintenance activities. This does not mean that we drop all COVID precautions. What it means is we will follow other L&I requirements.
Our road crews are not “construction crews;” the work our operators do falls under maintenance. They perform such seasonal tasks as repairing potholes, cleaning stormwater culverts, striping roadways and plowing snow. The road crews typically work outdoors in moving operations.
Our crews will wear masks if they must work within 6 feet of one another. Employees are required to have a mask on hand, but only to wear it when social distancing is not possible.
Other COVID safety guidelines that are being implemented:
A safety training is conducted daily on all job sites. COVID safety requirement plans are kept in one designated vehicle so they are on site.
In each road district, a site-specific COVID supervisor is designated. This supervisor monitors the health of employees, including taking temperatures daily, and enforces the COVID safety plan.
Public Works will supply personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, safety glasses and face masks, as appropriate or required for the work being performed.
Gloves and eye protection must be worn at all times by every employee except while driving vehicles. If appropriate PPE cannot be provided, the worksite or task must be shut down.
Only one person is allowed in a vehicle unless approved by a supervisor. Or, if the vehicle has a back seat, a passenger can ride in the back seat. In this case, the passenger will wear a face shield and both employees will wear masks. Windows must be open at least 2 inches while driving.
During breaks, crew member will eat in their vehicles or outside, following social distancing guidelines.
Tools will be shared as little as possible. Tools will be cleaned daily and employees will wash their hands is sharing of tools must occur.
At the end of the day, crew members fuel up and then disinfect inside the vehicle they operated.
“There are going to be some adjustments with everyone working together again, and it may take some reminding before our new procedures become regular habits,” Harn said. “Some of these safety guidelines may even become the new way we operate.”
Older Articles
Will the chip sealing crew be in your area this summer?
Posted On: June 15, 2020
This year, the county road crew starts chip sealing the week of June 22. Do you know if they'll be on your street?...
Read More arrow_forwardHeaded to the MRWF? Secure that load for safe travels!
Posted On: December 11, 2019
The new Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility is open to the public. The facility is at 3612 Highway 97A in Wenatchee....
Read More arrow_forwardCode of the West: A reminder that life is different in the country
Posted On: September 06, 2019
The Code of the West was adopted in 2002 by Chelan County commissioners. It is not a formal code, but rather a philosophy or friendly advice for peopl...
Read More arrow_forwardIt's always wise to stay off the (wet) lines
Posted On: June 18, 2019
Roadway striping plays a valuable role in efforts to keep travelers safe on the roadway. The Traffic Safety crew of Chelan County Public Works re-stri...
Read More arrow_forwardIn an emergency, don't let your address delay help from reaching you
Posted On: January 15, 2019
Have you ever asked yourself the question: When seconds count, how easily will emergency responders be able to find my home? Learn how your address ma...
Read More arrow_forwardWinter is coming -- it's time to remove any vehicles parked along the roadside
Posted On: November 08, 2018
With Chelan County Public Works now preparing for winter and the inevitable snowfall that will come with it, our road crews are asking residents to re...
Read More arrow_forwardPreserving a piece of Cashmere's history
Posted On: October 22, 2018
Those people interested in giving the West Cashmere Bridge a new home -- and preserving its history -- have until Jan. 1, 2019, to contact Chelan Coun...
Read More arrow_forwardNeed wood chips? Pick them up at the Chelan Transfer Station
Posted On: September 07, 2018
Free shredded wood chips are available at the Chelan Transfer Station until about early October....
Read More arrow_forwardCounty to build year-round moderate risk waste facility
Posted On: September 07, 2018
Chelan County is in the process of opening a facility – called a moderate risk waste facility – that will be open year round to residents in need of s...
Read More arrow_forward2018 road preservation project revs up
Posted On: May 03, 2018
The 2018 Road Preservation Program is underway throughout Chelan County. Read about the list of roadways in the preservation program this year....
Read More arrow_forward