Controls Malcolm Anson
Wellbeing is your business
Malcolm Anson, president of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) discusses the importance of wellbeing in the workplace and how this can significantly boost productivity and overall business success
T
here’s no denying that the pressures of modern life can take their toll on people, particularly in the workplace. It’s also no
secret that a large majority of individuals are working longer hours in the current climate. A common predicament faced by many sectors
across the UK is addressing the skills shortage. The building controls industry is no different and we are always evaluating and identifying potential methods which can attract new, talented individuals to the built environment, as well as retaining them. I believe that meeting the needs of individuals in the workplace is vital to ensuring a bright and successful future for our industry. As buildings have evolved, three of the main criteria for judging the quality of a property are: wellbeing, energy
efficiency and carbon reduction. As I’ve touched upon, people are generally working a higher number of hours and therefore have more demands placed upon them. This can affect both their physical and mental health, as well as their ability to perform well at work. Another valid point that we must consider, is that the workforce is aging. Older people will be working for longer periods of time and we need to provide a working environment which is suitable for individuals of all ages.
Healthy workplace
It’s a well-known fact that we spend 90% of our time indoors, but do any of us ponder what impact the
working environment has on our health? A worrying statistic is that indoor air pollution can range from two to five times greater than outdoor. In 2016, sick days cost businesses in the UK £137
million. This highlights the necessity for commercial buildings to have modern ventilation solutions in place, which help to minimise pollution levels, along with flexible temperature controls for instance. It’s crucial that the workplace is a healthy and pleasant place to be, rather than making individuals ill, unproductive or miserable. A vital tool which covers this topic is the WELL Building Standard. It’s the first building standard to focus on the health and wellbeing of people in buildings and is aligned with BREEAM – the global sustainability standard. The two together now
Building controls are integral in meeting the growing wellbeing demands
32 November 2017
www.heatingandventilating.net
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