JKAH is pleased to announce that our Jani-King brand is working internationally as a Co-Chair of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) Advisory committee to provide consultation and advice as a cleaning industry expert to assist Sports & Entertainment venues and other facility types to re-open post COVID 19.
On May 15th 2020, the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the world’s leading certification body for healthy buildings, launched the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating focusing on operational policies, cleaning protocols and design strategies to address a post COVID 19 environment.
An advisory of industry leaders from sports and entertainment will advance the completion of the WELL Health-Safety Rating specific to these venues. The new WELL Health-Safety Rating will also apply to a range of other facility types and market sectors, including offices, hotels, retail, grocery stores, warehouses, manufacturing, theatres, recreation, restaurants, schools, among others.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating is designed to help owners and operators provide the necessary guidance and third-party verification process to adapt to considerations for health and well-being in a post COVID 19 world. The program provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators.
“Critical feedback from leading industry stakeholders is crucial to the refinement and further development of the WELL Health-Safety Rating,” said Rick Fedrizzi, Chairman & CEO of IWBI. “By collaborating with industry and subject matter experts in public health, facility ownership, operations, management and policies, cleaning protocols, and building and spatial design, we are able to drive towards broader market transformation and completely rethink how owners and operators can adapt to be more resilient as we emerge from this global pandemic. We are excited to fast-track this program for sports and entertainment venues and have the industry fully engaged to address the challenges we face today.”
The IWBI COVID 19 Task Force, a group of over 500 public health experts, virologists, government officials, academics, business leaders, architects, designers, building scientists and real estate professionals, was established at the outset of the pandemic to develop Guidelines on Prevention and Preparedness, Resilience and Recovery in response to pathogen transmission concerns. Members of the task force include 17th Surgeon General of the United States Dr. Richard Carmona, former Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President and CEO Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, UCLA’s Dr. Jonathan Fielding, environmental scientist Allen Hershkowitz PhD and Jani-King Internationals very own Mike Biggs, VP Sports & Entertainment Partnerships.
Registrations under the WELL Building Standard, the premier standard for healthy real estate, have already been received from 61 countries since inception. The WELL Building movement has been further amplified by over 10,000 WELL Accredited Professionals (APs) and registrants across the globe.
“Given the current challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic, the sports and entertainment industries are going to be changed forever,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, a global sports and entertainment company. “We’re pleased to help lead the reopening of venues with the International WELL Building Institute, the world’s leading standard bearer and certifying body for healthy buildings, and to provide guidance on how best to ensure people can return safely to sports and entertainment facilities this year. We look forward to working with IWBI and the other partnering companies to ensure the industry has the necessary tools, training, and world-class industry standards, to offer both a secure and welcoming environment for all players, artists, touring personnel, venue employees, and fans.”
“When it comes to disinfecting and cleanliness of sports and entertainment venues and assisting in securing peace of mind with the public, the two things we have heard most often are the desire for industry consensus and the backing of science,” said Mike Biggs, VP of Sports and Entertainment Partnerships for Jani-King, a global leader in the commercial cleaning industry. “With the support and expertise of IWBI and the group of leaders assembled to date and joining us in the coming weeks, I believe this collective group will accomplish what the sports and entertainment sectors and other market sectors are seeking.”
Participation in the program will require submission of policies, protocols and strategies for third-party document review and annual compliance verification. The WELL Health-Safety Rating will launch in June, leveraging extensive input gathered from the newly constituted WELL Advisory on Sports and Entertainment Venues, a diverse group of industry leaders at the forefront of ownership, operations and design. Current WELL-registered projects and WELL Portfolio participants can earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating as part of their already established certification efforts.
It is not only Sports and Entertainment venues that are seeing the need to completely re-think how they can adapt to the ‘new normal’ post COVID 19 environment – where hygiene and disinfection need to be visibly evident to guests and visitors.
JKAH are helping hotels and hospitality venues in Australia to leverage the guidance from the Australian Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration and Safe Work Australia. This combined with our extensive experience in cleaning and sanitising hotels enables properties to ‘get it right first time’ as they enter the post COVID 19 environment.
If you feel JKAH’s experience and connections could be of assistance specifically for your needs, call us for an obligation free discussion on 03 9265 2200 or email Monique Jeffrey, Sales Manager – monique@jkah.com.au
