New COVID-19 safeguards in place as most Puget Sound-area sites resume operations
During a multi-week production pause, Boeing used guidance from health authorities to add new safeguards and processes for returning teammates.
2020-04-15 P-8 Employees Workplace Return
Floor stickers have been applied in many Boeing cafeterias to encourage the physical distancing of employees waiting in lines. (Marian Lockhart photo)
Kits of cleaning supplies have been prepared for employees to use in break rooms, at shared work stations, and other common areas. (Jessica Kowal photo)
2020-04-15 P-8 Employees Workplace Return
Boeing infographic
- An employee washes his hands in one of the many portable hand washing stations that have been set up at Boeing sites. (Marian Lockhart photo)
- Floor stickers have been applied in many Boeing cafeterias to encourage the physical distancing of employees waiting in lines. (Marian Lockhart photo)
- Kits of cleaning supplies have been prepared for employees to use in break rooms, at shared work stations, and other common areas. (Jessica Kowal photo)
- Teams are spending extra time cleaning high-touch surfaces and common areas. (Marian Lockhart photo)
- Boeing infographic
Many employees in the Puget Sound region are returning to their work sites this week after production pauses to add comprehensive and extensive measures to keep people safe and stop the spread of COVID-19.
Employees who can work from home will continue to do so in coordination with their manager.
“The health and safety of our employees, their families and communities is our shared priority,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Commercial Airplanes. “This phased approach ensures we have a reliable supply base, our personal protective equipment is readily available and we have all of the necessary safety measures in place to resume essential work for our customers.”
The work of Boeing employees is considered essential to supporting global transportation, customers, cargo, defense and security missions -- especially as the world battles the spread of COVID-19, according to the federal and state guidelines.
Boeing employees across the enterprise who have been away will encounter an array of physical and procedural changes to enhance health and safety. The new measures range from visual controls and robust daily cleaning to staggered shifts and voluntary temperature screenings -- all with a strong focus on physical distancing.
In Washington, face masks or face coverings are required by state health authorities. Employees who have their own face masks or face coverings are encouraged to bring them. Boeing will provide masks for those who don’t have them.
In addition, shuttles for employees loaned for work at the Everett site have been temporarily suspended, as have VIP and factory tours.
As Boeing continues to navigate through the uncertainty ahead, the health and safety of employees, their families and communities is a shared responsibility. Teammates must work with one another to keep themselves and others safe. Boeing has shared this information with employees to let them know the actions we all can take to stay safe and fight this pandemic.
This latest resumption of operations comes four days after a limited return of 2,500 mostly Defense, Space & Security and Global Services teammates in the Puget Sound area, and Commercial Airplanes employees who maintain 737 MAXs stored in Moses Lake, Washington.
Stay informed about further developments through Boeing COVID-19 website.
