The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has announced the launch of the WELL Health-Safety Rating for all building and facility types.
This is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating that focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols and design strategies to address a post Covid-19 environment.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating is one of the earliest outcomes of IWBI’s Task Force on Covid-19, a group of about 600 public health experts, virologists, government officials, academics, business leaders, architects, designers, building scientists and real estate professionals. The group was established in late March to guide IWBI’s response to the pandemic.
The rating provides “a centralised source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators”.
It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Covid-19 Task Force, in addition to guidance on the spread of Covid-19 and other respiratory infections developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other academic and research institutions, as well as core principles established by IWBI’s WELL Building Standard.
Participation in the programme requires submission of policies, protocols and strategies for third-party document review and annual verification.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating will accept registrations in June from all types of buildings and facility typologies, including offices, restaurants, hotels, retail establishments, manufacturing plants, warehouses, sports stadiums, arenas, theatres and other entertainment venues, schools, multi-family housing, and many others.
Current WELL-registered projects and WELL Portfolio participants can earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating as part of their already established certification efforts.