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Relying on Science and Health Data: The Critical Balance to Safely Reentering the Workforce

A virtual town hall of the National Institute of Building Sciences has outlined many steps for buildings to be ready for reoccupation

(WASHINGTON, DC, May 12, 2020) – Reopening the nation’s businesses will require a uniform approach by building operators, infrastructure employees, and local and state officials under the safety guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Bringing America back to work will take planning, vision, and expertise,” said Lakisha A. Woods, CAE, President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences. “Employers must utilize a phased approach to bringing staff back into the workplace to assist with social distancing.”

NIBS hosted a COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall: Preparing for Reentering Buildings. The town hall is the first in a series aimed at informing and engaging the built environment around concerns and challenges with COVID-19.

The May 7 town hall featured more than 1,800 registrants. The town hall panel included Henry H. Chamberlin, President & Chief Operating Officer, Building Owners & Managers Association; Daniel Nichols, Assistant Director of Fire/Life Safety, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North Railroad; Pete DeMarco, Executive Vice President of Advocacy & Research, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and Thomas H. Phoenix, Principal, CPL Architects & Engineers, PC; Treasurer, NIBS Board of Directors; Fellow, ASHRAE. The town hall was moderated by Carl Hedde, Head of Insurance Practice, One Concern and Chair of the NIBS Board of Directors.

There are a number of complex issues that should be considered as part of a reentering strategy:

BOMA’s Chamberlin emphasized the importance of staggering a reentering workforce. He proposed maybe only 30 percent of the workplace show up to the office for the first month.  

“Crowd control will be a real challenge when it comes to reentering the workplace,” he said.

Different businesses will have different needs, and each must be in a position to empower employees to perform work in a safe and healthy atmosphere.

To view the recording and see the session notes of the virtual town hall, visit https://www.nibs.org/page/covid-19-virtual-town-hall. The next virtual town hall is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2020.

About NIBS

National Institute of Building Sciences brings together labor and consumer interests, government representatives, regulatory agencies, and members of the building industry to identify and resolve problems and potential problems around the construction of housing and commercial buildings. NIBS is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization. It was established by Congress in 1974. For more information, visit nibs.org or follow @bldgsciences on Twitter and Facebook.

Media Contact
Christine Cube
Social Media & Public Relations Manager
(202) 289-7800
ccube@nibs.org
Topics
Indoor Air Quality/Healthy Buildings