Photo courtesy USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released four new Safety First Pilot Credits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The credits outline sustainable best practices that align with public health and industry guidelines related to cleaning and disinfecting, workplace re-occupancy, HVAC, and plumbing operations.
The credits can be used by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects that are certified or are undergoing certification.
The Safety First credits are part of USGBC’s economic recovery strategy released last month, which focuses on sustainable solutions to rebuild a stronger and healthier economy by prioritizing healthy people in healthy places. The credits were created in direct response to COVID-19 and focus on the safety of those working in a building. These credits are available to all LEED 2009, LEED v4, and LEED v4.1 projects.
“These new credits are a first step in helping the building and construction industry demonstrate its commitment to sustainable strategies as part of building a healthier, more resilient future,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC president. “Supporting environmental and occupant health is a critical part of supporting community health and, as we look ahead, we know LEED and the USGBC community will play a role in delivering solutions that lay a better foundation for our economic and environmental well-being.”
The four Safety First credits are:
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space;
- Re-Enter Your Workspace, which also aligns with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Re-occupancy Assessment Tool;
- Safety First: Building Water System Recommissioning; and
- Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19.
These credits are based on current, known information. USGBC will refine its recommendations and is looking for feedback on the new credits.
In addition to these new LEED pilot credits, projects can also take advantage of Arc Re-entry, a set of resources to help facility teams assess and communicate recovery efforts, as well as the WELL Health-Safety Rating. Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) will be providing third-party certification support for the WELL Health-Safety Rating.
