The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and ISSA  announced today the launch of the Healthy Workplaces Coalition, a new coalition of nearly 40 national organizations, industry leaders, and trade associations collaborating to support and advance federal policy aimed at helping businesses and organizations better afford and implement health and safety improvements in workplaces and across the built environment—to benefit the health and well-being of employees, customers, and the public.

Members of this new advocacy coalition launched on Capitol Hill will work together to not only support federal policy promoting healthy workplaces, but also raise awareness using a collective voice to help the public, policymakers and businesses understand the imperative of workplace health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

In addition to IWBI and ISSA, the coalition’s leadership team includes the following steering committee members:

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• ASHRAE
• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
• Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA)
• Green Seal
• International Facilities Management Association (IFMA)
• The Real Estate Roundtable (RER)
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

“While COVID-19 increased the public’s attention to the importance of cleaning, air filtration, and hand hygiene, there is now an increased focus and commitment by businesses and buildings to invest in healthy spaces,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “As more workers head back to physical workplaces, the demand and expectation for clean, healthy, and safe environments will continue to increase. This coalition will help to educate policymakers about the need to support policies to help employers make these essential investments in healthy workplaces.”

Businesses need education and financial assistance to accelerate and deploy proven workplace solutions and strategies to address health threats such as COVID-19 as well as broader health and safety-related issues of the future. While several relevant policy proposals have emerged, further action is needed to incentivize businesses to create and maintain healthy workplaces.

ISSA members who have already joined the Healthy Workplaces Coalition include Arxada, Fellowes Brands, Honeywell, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Poppy, PortionPac Chemical Corporation, Pritchard Industries, and Spartan Chemical Co.

The coalition continues to welcome interested participants and anticipates that membership will expand over the next several months. Contact ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft for more information at [email protected].

What ISSA members are saying about the launch of the coalition:

“Fellowes is excited to bring 100 years of experience in supporting optimal work environments to this new Healthy Workplaces Coalition,” said Arti W. Lyde, Global General Manager, Air Treatment at Fellowes Brands. “We look forward to reinforcing to building management teams the benefits of improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) beyond COVID-19 virus reduction and its impact on the public’s personal well-being, operational efficiency, and sustainability. We are thrilled to bring our leadership in localized air purification to this important topic and team and look forward to supporting the coalition’s work.”

“Workers are much more cognizant of the spaces they spend time in then they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they want viable evidence that the buildings they use every day for work, school or care are healthier and use technology that helps to foster their well-being,” said Manish Sharma, vice president and general manager of sustainable buildings, Honeywell. “We look forward to working with the Healthy Workplaces Coalition to further educate, advocate and support the adoption of federal policy that fosters healthier, more sustainable buildings.”

“Together with other industry leaders, Kimberly-Clark Professional is proud to participate in the Healthy Workplaces Coalition to help advance the health and safety of workplace environments,” said Andy Clement, Chief Customer Officer, Kimberly-Clark Professional. “The coalition’s focus on advocating for healthier and safer buildings for employees, customers and other building occupants aligns perfectly with our mission to partner with businesses to create Exceptional Workplaces, helping to make them healthier, safer and more productive.”

“Poppy is incredibly proud to be part of the Healthy Workplaces Coalition and to contribute the ability to directly detect airborne pathogens and measure the impact of health and safety improvements made in workplaces. This Coalition represents the collaborative advocacy required to measure what matters and ensure verifiable safe indoor air for everyone,” said Sam Molyneux, Co-CEO of Poppy Health.

We are excited to be a part of this diverse group who have come together to share knowledge and expertise in all facets of the built environment,” said Caryn Stets, Chief Strategy Officer, PortionPac Chemical Corporation. “As a company with 58 years of cleaning education and sustainability experience, we look forward to working to advance policy and awareness for the health and well-being of all building occupants.”