Article Review: “New Research Reveals the Safety Hazards of Green Building”

Article Review: “New Research Reveals the Safety Hazards of Green Building”02/10/2012

 

Below is the first Article Review for my Sustainable Building class:

“New Research Reveals the Safety Hazards of Green Building” 
By Katie Frasier taken from GreenSource Magazine
(Original Article Found Here)

          This article’s title, taken from GreenSource Magazine, originally caught my attention with an automatic position of defense and urge to negate such an implication that Green Building would encompass a higher safety risk than “traditional” building. Upon reading, however, I have gained a matured insight on how the evolution of new practices presents a need for new safety evaluations.

            Matthew Hallowell, an assistant professor in the Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department at the University of Colorado Boulder was inspired to investigate the claims of a study showing an approximate 50% increase of injuries in LEED-certified projects. Through empirical research and on-site evaluations, Hallowell and his team identified 14 LEED credentials that possibly heighten risks to construction workers. Some of these risks include sustainable roof and PV panel installation, injuries from construction waste management and collection of salvaged building materials, etc. The article continues with suggested solutions to each identified risk.

            With the skyrocketing of cultural and financial support for sustainable practices, which is a relatively “new” industry, it is understandable that there is some stumbling during the growth process. Training and hazard awareness may have seemed to be less of an immediate priority due to a standard understanding of traditional construction hazards. It takes time and experience to become aware of elements specific to any new system, even if that experience stems from accidental injury.

However, with the open evaluation of on-site injuries and the expanding reach of LEED-certification it is incredibly important to quickly evolve. The article states that the LEED rating system had not yet included improvement to workers safety, but that the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has been in process to evaluate this. The intention, which I feel is a brilliant addition, is to include worker safety as part of the LEED credentials. Obviously, the philosophy of sustainability must extend to personal health as well as environmental health. By including these credentials we not only can rest assured as consumers that we are supporting a vastly sustainable product, but also feel secure as potential employees of the growing sustainable building market.

I encourage the scrutiny of this and any industry in such serious matters of worker health and applaud the receptivity of LEED and USGBC. By allowing an open dialog of such important issues with quick response we can feel confident in the integrity of the blossoming green building industry.