U.S. Green Building Council, LEED and Ergonomics
The U.S. Green Building Council is a “non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices” with local chapters around the country, including one in Idaho. They are probably best known for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System – a voluntary certification process that seeks “to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations.”
The LEED rating system focuses on accrual of points in six categories: Sustainable Sites; Water Efficiency; Energy & Atmosphere; Materials & Resources; Indoor Environmental Quality; and Innovation & Design Process. Depending on the number of points earned, a building project can be awarded one of four certification levels: Certified (26-32), Silver (33-38), Gold (39-51), or Platinum (52-69).
Within in the Innovation & Design Process category, a building project can receive 1 point for designs that promote an ergonomics strategy. As outlined in the recently issued Administrative Credit Interpretation Ruling, the ergonomic strategy must include the following four components:
- Identify activities and building functions for which ergonomic enhancement (i.e., ergonomic strategies which exceed standard industry practice) is both possible and desirable through education and equipment.
- Define a set of performance goals and expectations for the ergonomics strategy that address productivity, comfort, and health.
- Provide machine, equipment, tools, work-aids (METWA’s), furnishings, and accessories that reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and are acceptable to a wide range of building users.
- Provide ergonomics education to buildings users.
For a more in depth discussion regarding the ergonomics requirements, please refer to Alan Hedge’s article “The Sprouting of “Green” Ergonomics” published in the December 2008 issue of the HFES Bulletin. Also, you can download the “Green” Ergonomics Requirements Worksheets and Survey” from Cornell University Ergonomics Web.
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