The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has introduced a new pilot credit in the LEED green building rating system called “Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space.”
The credit is intended to support building owners and operators as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides guidance on effectively cleaning and disinfecting buildings using green cleaning best practices.
These are intended to reduce levels of chemical, biological, and particulate contaminants in buildings that can compromise air quality, human health, building finishes, and systems. Building managers must create a policy and implement practices that focus on a healthy indoor environment and worker safety to earn the credit.
Other requirements include:
· Describe the approach, including a timeline outlining when new cleaning practices were put in place for COVID-19, along with a copy of the green cleaning policy or program.
· Prepare a list of cleaning products and materials used or purchased to clean the facility, noting which are and are not compliant with green cleaning criteria.
· Utilize cleaning equipment that has ergonomic design features to reduce worker injuries due to vibration, noise, and user fatigue.
· Identify “high-touch points” along with frequencies for cleaning and disinfecting them.
Related Stories
| May 3, 2012
Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating
LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.
| Apr 26, 2012
Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
| Apr 26, 2012
OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
| Apr 26, 2012
Developers can use LEED wastewater credits to help gain approvals in environmentally sensitive locales
Those wanting to pursue development in heavily regulated and environmentally sensitive areas are benefiting by designing projects that qualify for LEED points, even if the project as a whole does not achieve certification.
| Apr 26, 2012
New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics
New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.
| Apr 23, 2012
AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum
AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.
| Apr 19, 2012
Michigan legislature tackling controversial rules on electricians
A fight is brewing in the Michigan legislature over how many fully qualified electricians must be present during electrical work when apprentices also are on hand.
