LEED is a government program that determines how environmentally friendly or green a building is. The evidence is all around us with more packaging and marketing material claiming a product is environmentally conscience. The certification program was created for companies that wanted to take the next step and be graded for their efforts. Companies are now chasing LEED Certification for new construction buildings.
LEED is a government program that determines how environmentally friendly or green a building is. The evidence is all around us with more packaging and marketing material claiming a product is environmentally conscience. The certification program was created for companies that wanted to take the next step and be graded for their efforts. Companies are now chasing LEED Certification for new construction buildings.
A LEED Certified building meets a certain threshold of the possible points. The grading system also has several tiers. The lowest recognized level is the Certified Level. The next levels are Silver, Gold and Platinum, respectively. The Platinum level requires double the achieved points over a Certified building.
Points are divided into specific categories. Water Efficiency is an example of one of the seven total categories. Low flow shower heads could score points, but other things are necessary to improve water efficiency.
A company can receive tax and zoning advantages for chasing certification. This helps recoup cost for further encouragement to be environmentally responsible. The higher the levels have more lucrative rewards. To get started, one must consider the desired achieved level and the plan required to achieve that level. The higher levels typically involve a larger upfront monetary commitment to achieve those levels of prestige.
A LEED Professional can help walk through the process of LEED Certification. This Professional will conduct the final evaluation and grading of the building. Often times, the progress of the building will need to be monitored to evaluate materials that are behind walls and may affect efficiencies. A final session after the building is completed will serve as the main evaluation day. The LEED Professional may look at energy and water usage of the building to get an idea of usage with relation to size of the building.
Click hereto contact a LEED Professional and start the LEED Certification process today. Careful planning is essential to the success of the program. Each detail must be considered and evaluated if it may have an impact on one of the seven categories. Many different building techniques are being developed and shared by the government to aid private companies pursuing LEED Certification.
The LEED Certification program holds companies that claim they are environmentally friendly and green. This grading metrics can definitively show what level is achieve and quantifiable areas that have been improved to be more environmentally friendly. The upfront cost of the improvements can be offset with long term tax and zoning benefits.
Occupational Health Overcomes Everyday Hazards
Many workers face different types of hazards on a daily basis. Each company has a responsibility to proactively protect their employees from hazards encountered in the workplace. Accidents or injuries can bring production to a halt, reduce the workforce while the employee is recovering and lead to costly worker compensation claims. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can help your company improve the Occupational Health present at your facility.
The Risk from Asbestos
Asbestos poses a major health risk in many office buildings and homes due to the wide adoption and usage of asbestos as an insulator in the construction process. Asbestos can be found in the glue beneath vinyl flooring or in material applied to concrete to regulate the temperature between floors in an office building. These buildings and homes are being remodeled and modernized as an update to the space, but the demolition process can be hazardous if asbestos is present. Test for asbestos prior to starting your next remodeling project to ensure workers are safe.
Communicating the Dangers with HazCom
Hazard Communication focuses on explaining the dangers present at the workplace. The employees have a right to understand the hazards present and how to remain safe on the jobsite. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can work with your company to fulfill the HazCom requirement set forth by OSHA.
