Elevating Solutions in Facilities Management

from 2021 CSR

Healthcare Disruptors Target Foam and Plastic

To help bolster confidence in workplace cleanliness and safety as employees return to the office, ESFM joined a network of companies working in alignment with the globally recognized WELL Building Standard (WELL), designed to enhance the health and well-being of buildings across the world.

ESFM, the corporate facilities management division of Compass Group, became a Keystone member of the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) in April 2021. The move reinforces ESFM’s efforts to serve its clients with the latest scientific research and advanced human health operational protocol. This leadership role also creates opportunities to support clients in their pursuit to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating and further instill consumer confidence and trust.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidenced-based, third-party validation of the facilities management policies and procedures focused on six main health-safety themes:

• Cleaning and Sanitization Procedures • Emergency Preparedness Programs • Health Service Resources • Air and Water Quality Management • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication • Innovation

Many of the policies and procedures required for the rating application are inherent in what ESFM performs and delivers. Within months the Compass One Workplace Solutions team, representing both Flik and ESFM, facilitated one of the first applications for the WELL Health-Safety Rating for a Life Science client. In the summer of 2021, the client partner received this prestigious rating for their Gatihersburg, MD campus, making it the first biopharmaceutical company to earn the public rating in Maryland.

“It was not a one-sided effort. Many resources were at the table and the application required a commitment on both sides,” says Mark Agan, ESFM Regional Vice President.

The application requires proprietary information, including policies related to safety and employee well-being. “Because of the trusted partnership between Compass One and Life Science client, we were able to review sensitive documentation and collaborate directly on the best format to submit to WELL,” says Flik dietitian Sonya Luisi, Health and Wellbeing Program Director for Life Science client Gaithersburg.

“We are gratified to earn the WELL Health-Safety rating across the entire Gaithersburg campus – all 1.375 million square feet. Health and safety have long been a priority for my team, and it is great to have the external validation and visible recognition of the seal to help share our achievement with employees,” Joe Ernstberger, Executive Director R&D US Site Operations for Life Science client says.

ESFM’s membership came in addition to Compass Group’s ongoing involvement with IWBI’s Concept Advisors and leadership participating in the IWBI WELL Task Force on COVID-19.