Environmental health at the office: measuring sustainability for people and planet
Climate change is a serious, global concern, and it can only be addressed at scale, with organizations, governments and groups of people doing their part. With this in mind, facilities and operations managers have for years been tasked with monitoring, measuring and managing energy output in the commercial real estate sector. Now, with climate change still looming, we are facing another serious, global threat that directly targets people’s health and demands action at scale.
As many workplaces gear up for a return, health and safety protocols are in great demand from employees and candidates, comparable to environmental sustainability, already a key factor for many workers evaluating job prospects. At first blush – with single-use bleach wipes, toxic disinfectants and disposable safety products – these two needs seem to be in opposition. But in reality, shared spaces can pursue both goals without disrupting existing sustainability practices – and in fact, extant energy efficiency reporting can serve as an excellent foundation for a transparent approach to health and safety. By measuring and improving both, a workplace can put employees’ minds at ease at a time when health and safety anxiety are high.
The International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI’s) WELL Health-Safety Rating provides guidelines for measurable, effective ways the built environment can contribute to both human health and humanity’s longevity on the planet. The rating includes suggestions – such as nontoxic cleaners, air filtration systems that operate efficiently due to regular maintenance, and proactive protocols for addressing environmental hazards like molds – as well as benchmarks for success. These can give your facility a roadmap for building on existing practices for better outcomes, both in terms of environmental sustainability and human health. Enacting the best practices found in the WELL Health-Safety Rating is an excellent first step for organizations looking to engage with health and well-being on a larger scale.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating also provides a handy, effective framework for promoting your efforts on these fronts. In addition to the opportunity for traditional promotion via press releases and social media posts, WELL Health-Safety rated facilities can mark their entrances with a WELL Health-Safety Seal, communicating to everyone entering a space that evidence-based measures and best practices for safety have been adopted and third-party verified.
Looking to create a better, safer facility for today’s people and tomorrow’s planet? Look to the WELL Health-Safety Rating.
