October 23rd
Since our last COVID-19 update the governor has instituted additional mask requirements in the workplace, overriding previous guidance which focused on maintaining a safe social distance in most environments. We now require masks in all offices, except when employees are sitting at their desks.
To date we have had eleven employees test positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of May. Since the middle of August, when the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) changed some of their reporting guidelines, we have had six cases. The OHA continues to report Freres on an “outbreak” list stating that we have 15 active cases. We disagree that we should be included on this list for the following reasons:
To date we have five employees who are out on positive results who were, to our knowledge, exposed by family members. We have one employee out on a positive result who we believe was exposed to a team member on site and one other with unknown exposure. These six are the only cases in our employee community that we know about since the beginning of September.
October 1st
Two employees have tested positive for Covid, and are currently under quarantine. The last employee who tested positive earlier this month is out of quarantine and back to work.
September 17th
Another employee has tested positive for Covid. Safety procedures and protocols have been followed and the employee is currently off work under quarantine.
September 4th
A summary of COVID related issues to date:
We appreciate the effort all of our employees have gone through to make sure we have a safe workplace.
August 14th
Offices are still restricted due to the Governor’s order at the end of June. Visitors can contact office staff and may enter when necessary, but masks will be required unless a 6’ separation can be maintained. We were notified Monday, August 10th that an employee who had previously tested negative had a positive retest. COVID related safety procedures have been followed and other employees in contact with this individual were notified. Two other employees are on self-imposed quarantine due to contact outside of work.
July 17th
Based on the Governor’s order at the end of June, our office doors have been locked. Visitors can contact office staff and may enter when necessary, but masks will be required unless a 6’ separation can be maintained. We are not aware of any new cases of Covid in our employee community. The Governor’s order does not require employees to wear masks at work, but disposable masks have been made available and each employee has been provided with a complimentary Freres Lumber gaiter for their use if they choose.
June 7, 2020
To date we have had three positive cases of Covid-19 throughout our company, and no new cases since the middle of May. All of those employees are healthy and able to return to work. Five employees remain on Covid-19 related leave, such as a family related quarantine or issues related to childcare. All Covid-19 related safety measures remain in place and we encourage all employees to continue following social distancing measures.
May 13, 2020
Two employees notified Freres Lumber that they tested positive for COVID-19. Employee 1 reported a positive test result on May 12; employee 2 on May 13. Freres’ HR and Safety managers are working on contact tracing, alerting anyone who was in close contact with the employee(s). We are also referring these employees to the CDC website and suggesting they call their physician. These cases occurred after a week of downtime, so there was limited workplace contact.
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 will be:
These measures protect our employees, customers and the community at large.
In addition to supporting nearly 500 local employees in our plants, many suppliers, contractors, and customers rely on our business, as well. We have a responsibility to their families, as well as a responsibility to help our communities as we weather this health and economic storm together.
Freres Lumber recently gifted Santiam Canyon School District a $100,000 donation as well as a $150,000 in-kind donation of Mass Plywood Products as a show of support to our Santiam Canyon communities and families. With distance learning in place, SCSD was able to move their new school construction timeline up to get those projects completed early while students are at-home for the rest of the school year.
In addition, Freres employees, contractors and family members are supporting Santiam Hospital’s SIT Mobile program that helps deliver essential goods to local families in need.
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