Summertown Interiors, a leading fit-out contractor specialising in green interiors in the UAE, has earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating for its Dubai head office in Jafza through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement, and emergency plans to address a post-Covid-19 environment now and into the future.

Designed to empower owners and operators across large and small businesses alike to take the necessary steps to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, visitors, and stakeholders, the WELL Health-Safety Rating can help guide users in preparing their spaces for re-entry in the wake of the pandemic, instilling confidence in those who come through the building as well as the broader community.

Marcos Bish, Managing Director, Summertown Interiors commented: “We are delighted to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating for our own Dubai head office, demonstrating our commitment to providing the highest standards of health and wellbeing for our people and clients and suppliers.”

Summertown joins ICD Brookfield Place in attaining WELL Health & Safety Rating, which is the largest office building in the MENA region to receive this certification.

To achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating, Summertown developed new office policies to improve its existing cleaning and sanitization procedures and updated its emergency preparedness programme, including a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan and IT disaster recovery plan. Additionally, the team revised its employee health and wellbeing policies to include more flexible working opportunities, promotion of flu and Covid-19 vaccines, sick leave, and discouraging smoking.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating provides a centralized source and governing body to validate efforts made by owners and operators.

It leverages insights drawn from the IWBI Task Force on Covid-19, in addition to guidance from World Health Organization (WHO), US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global disease control and prevention centres and emergency management agencies, as well as recognized standard-making associations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, and leading academic and research institutions, as well as core principles already established by IWBI’s WELL Building Standard, the premier framework for advancing health in buildings and spaces of all kinds.

Summertown Interiors was awarded the WELL Health-Safety Rating following the successful completion of a third-party documentation review by GBCI to confirm it has met the feature specific intents and requirements. – TradeArabia News Service