When it comes to building certification, most people tend to think of sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. However, building certification can also play a vital role in ensuring occupational health and safety. In this article, we will explore the connection between building certification and occupational health and safety and why it’s important to consider these factors when constructing buildings.
What is Building Certification?
Building certification is the process of evaluating a building’s sustainability, efficiency, and environmental impact. Certification systems such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) provide guidelines and benchmarks for sustainable and efficient construction practices.
Building certification evaluates various factors such as energy and water use, waste management, materials sourcing, and indoor environmental quality. By achieving certification, buildings demonstrate that they meet or exceed the industry standards for sustainability and efficiency.
Importance of Occupational Health and Safety in Building Certification
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a critical aspect of building certification. OHS refers to the management of risks in the workplace that could cause harm to workers or other stakeholders. These risks can come from various sources, such as physical hazards, chemical hazards, biological hazards, and ergonomic hazards.
In the construction industry, OHS risks can be particularly high due to the nature of the work involved. Workers may be exposed to hazards such as falls from height, electrocution, and exposure to hazardous materials. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that buildings are designed and constructed in a way that minimizes these risks.
Building certification can help ensure that buildings are designed and constructed with OHS in mind. By incorporating OHS requirements into the certification process, buildings can demonstrate that they meet or exceed the industry standards for OHS.
Benefits of OHS in Building Certification
Incorporating OHS into building certification can bring several benefits for workers, building owners, and the community as a whole. Some of the key benefits include:
- Improved Worker Safety and Health: By designing and constructing buildings with OHS in mind, workers can be protected from the hazards associated with construction work. This can help reduce the number of accidents and injuries on construction sites, leading to improved worker safety and health.
- Reduced Liability for Building Owners: Building owners have a duty of care to ensure that their buildings are safe for occupants and visitors. By incorporating OHS into building certification, building owners can demonstrate that they have taken steps to minimize risks and reduce their liability.
- Improved Building Performance: Incorporating OHS into building certification can also help improve the overall performance of buildings. For example, by ensuring that ventilation systems are designed and installed correctly, indoor air quality can be improved, leading to better occupant health and comfort.
- Positive Impact on the Community: Building certification with OHS in mind can also have a positive impact on the community. By reducing the number of accidents and injuries on construction sites, building owners can demonstrate their commitment to the safety and well-being of the community.
Certification Systems that Incorporate OHS
Several building certification systems incorporate OHS into their standards. These include:
- WELL Building Standard: The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, including air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. The standard includes specific requirements for indoor air quality, water quality, lighting, and acoustics, all of which can impact OHS.
- BREEAM: BREEAM is a leading sustainability assessment method for buildings, infrastructure, and communities. The method includes specific requirements for health and well-being, including indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and noise reduction.