Weekly COVID-19 Update: Pandemic Lessons for Building Redesign and Webinars on Worker Engagement, Mental Health

The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health, safety, and infrastructure during the COVID-19 outbreak. ANSI is monitoring, sharing, and promoting appropriate news to highlight these efforts. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI's discretion.

Green Building Initiative to Host Webinar on Pandemic Lessons for Building Redesign and Retrofit

Green Building Initiative (GBI) will host a webinar, "Pandemic Lessons for Building Redesign and Retrofit," that will recognize how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted "worklife" concepts, and provide details on the future design of three critical building types: offices, multifamily, and long-term care facilities. Expert panelists will cover emerging and existing design trends and best practices now applicable to our new work situations.

The webinar on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, from 12:00-1:30 p.m. ET will consist of brief presentations by each panelist, followed by an audience-led Q&A session. Learning objectives will:

•  Highlight design and retrofits being considered by leaders in fields influencing offices, multifamily, and long-term care in light of COVID-19

•  Cover what health, safety, and wellness measures are considered most relevant for each building type

•  Cover what social interaction redesigns are being considered to help support hybrid environments where spaces must support multiple people accomplishing different things

•  Recognize that building design can directly affect occupants' health and safety, and highlight promoting private spaces, touch-less technology, and cleaning and disinfection, etc.
  
  

Register for the webinar via GBI's website.

ASSP Provides On-Demand Podcasts, Webinars on Worker Engagement, Mental Health

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has a series of on-demand webinars that cover topics related to COVID-19 available on its website.

"COVID-19: ANSI/ASSP Z10 and Worker Engagement," provides insights from a safety management systems expert on how an occupational health and safety management system can help organizations keep workers safe and engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"COVID-19 Challenge: Resilience in Time of Crisis," describes how safety professionals can help their companies survive and thrive as the economy reopens and people return to their workplaces.

"Using ISO 45001 to Enhance Mental Health and Well-Being," focuses on how ISO 45001 can help organizations take a holistic approach to safety and health as businesses reopen.

Access the full list of webinars on assp.org/resources/covid-19/webinars.

RIA Highlights Reducing COVID Risks with Robots

In a new article, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) details how COVID-19 risks in the workplace underscores the benefits of robots. The article provides insights how collaborative robots, or “cobots,” and remote monitoring help support social distancing. It also examines how companies are leasing palletizing systems to keep up with workloads.

See the Robotics Industry Insights article, "Reducing COVID Risks with Robots," on robotics.org.

See more ANSI member efforts in the ANSI COVID-19 Resource Webpage Highlighting Standardization Community Response Efforts.