AVANGRID, Inc., a sustainable energy company, has become the first energy company to earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) for two of its office locations in New York and Connecticut. The evidence-based, third-party-verified rating focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans.
The rating was awarded to AVANGRID’s headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, and its new Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) headquarters space in Rochester, New York. The company is working to achieve the WELL Health Safety Rating at 15 additional office locations by the end of 2021.
“Our priority has always been the health and safety of our employees”, said AVANGRID Chief Human Resources Officer, Peter Church. “During the COVID-19 pandemic we listened to employee concerns and the guidance of health experts and have taken meaningful measures to ensure our workplaces continue to be safe, sustainable and healthy places to work.”
“The WELL Health-Safety Rating includes thorough review of areas such as cleaning and sanitization procedures; emergency preparedness; health service resources; operational management and stakeholder engagement,” said AVANGRID’s Vice President of General Services, Miguel Angel Garcia Tamargo.
IWBI Chief Commercial Officer Jessica Cooper said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored to companies in every sector how critically important it is to be prepared for a crisis. AVANGRID has demonstrated outstanding leadership by taking purposeful steps forward to help ensure the health and safety of their staff and visitors as they return to their workplaces that have now achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating."
The WELL Health-Safety Rating serves as a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators. It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on COVID-19, in addition to guidance on the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centers and emergency management agencies. Guidance from recognized standard-making associations such as ASTM International1 and ASHRAE2, and leading academic and research institutions, as well as core principles already established by IWBI’s WELL Building Standard, also contribute to this premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.
To learn more, please visit https://wellhealthsafety.com/.
