Developed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and launched in 2020, the WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all real estate asset types, focused on operational policies, maintenance protocols, emergency plans and stakeholder education to address a post Covid-19 working environment, and broader health and safety related issues. It is specifically designed to provide benefit to facilities and building management teams.
The rating ensures that a building or space has taken significant steps to ensure they have prioritised their staff, visitors and stakeholders within its health and safety standards. The rating consolidates existing health, safety, security, and wellbeing procedures and related documentation, already established in buildings and enhances them. It includes a selection of relevant features from the WELL Building Standard (WELL) that are applied to the facilities and operations.
How does WELL Health-Safety rating work?
The WELL Health-Safety Rating includes more than 20 features and six innovation features across the following categories:
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Emergency preparedness
- Health service resources
- Air and water quality management
- Stakeholder engagement and communication
- Innovation
A minimum of 15 features must be met to achieve the rating and be officially designated as WELL Health-Safety Rated. To remain rated, projects must renew this certification annually. The process for renewal involves submitting any updated documentation and proof of on-going monitoring required by the rating.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating can be pursued for single-locations as well as multiple locations under the same owner, benefiting from efficiencies and streamlined documentation submission and review. The rating can also be achieved for large scale facilities.
What are the benefits of WELL Health-Safety rating?
Taking a building through the WELL Health-Safety Rating can be an extremely valuable process, as it provides an opportunity to review existing building procedures and ensure that operationally health, safety and wellbeing are embedded into its management.
Achieving WELL Health-Safety Rated buildings signals that evidence-based safety measures and best practices have been undertaken and independently verified within the building.
Where is this standard being used?
The WELL Health-Safety rating is applicable to any facility type such as sports and entertainment venues, theatres, hotel and resorts, restaurants, offices, educational buildings, retail, multifamily residential, industrial and senior living. Currently in the UK, there’s more than 25,000 locations enrolled.
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