Covid-19 Spills Program response

In-person inspections are a core part of our work. We are conducting inspections onboard vessels, at facilities, and during oil transfers. Our staff maintains physical distancing, and also wear masks per Ecology guidance. We assess our inspection protocols on an ongoing basis, and implement increased levels of protection as needed when conditions change, to help protect our inspectors, industry, and the public.

Preparedness team operations are resuming for in-person, outdoor drills on a case-by-case basis. This decision will be of made during drill design. When on-scene, we are maintaining six-foot social distancing and not gathering in groups. Additionally, Ecology will follow any company protocols for work. Indoor drills will largely continue to be evaluated in a virtual environment, dependent on whether social distancing and other protections can be continuously maintained. Contact Matt Bissell at 360-280-7061 or Matt.Bissell@ecy.wa.gov for further clarification or to discuss options.

Response team operations continue at full capacity. We are still receiving calls during business hours, after-hours, and weekends.

When on scene, we are maintaining our six-foot social distancing and not gathering in groups. If we have to respond to locations that have or formerly had high public traffic, we will increase our level of personal protection to perform our work.