The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, has announced that additional organisations have committed to accredit their facilities, following the recent debut of its GBAC STAR facility accreditation program.
GBAC STAR is designed for any size facility – including schools, offices, hotels, airports, assisted care facilities, stadiums and other public venues – to establish a comprehensive system of cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.
Recently committed facilities include:
- Lincoln Financial Field, home to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.
- Staples Center in Los Angeles, home to the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
- Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
- Georgia World Congress Center Authority in Atlanta, and Savannah Convention Center.
- New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
- San Diego Convention Center.
- Christ Fellowship Church and its locations throughout South Florida.
- The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd, which represents more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries.
In addition to these large-scale facilities, small businesses like Puffy's Tavern in New York City and La Coutoure Salon in Palos Park, Illinois, have committed to pursue accreditation for their facilities, illustrating the broad appeal of GBAC STAR.
The program has also garnered additional support from leading industry organisations, including:
- Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and its more than 195 members.
- Freeman + Go LIVE Together, a coalition of leaders from the live events industry, representing more than 4000 companies.
- The Infection Prevention Strategy (TIPS), a non-profit that advances innovations, ideas and processes in global health.
- Unique Venues and its 1100 members.
GBAC’s Executive Director, Patricia Olinger, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the response that the GBAC STAR program has received and are excited to welcome a new group of dedicated participants. With more and more organisations committing to follow the GBAC STAR framework, we can create a world that values cleanliness and implements it to the highest degree.”
The industry's only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR helps organisations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility's preparedness for biorisk situations. The program ensures facilities use best practices to limit future outbreaks, empowers cleaning staff to do their jobs safely and effectively and gives customers greater peace of mind.
ISSA Executive Director, John Barrett, added: “Now is the time for businesses of every size to be transparent about the measures they're taking to protect customers and employees, including proper cleaning and disinfection. GBAC STAR program participants demonstrate their commitment to going the extra mile by implementing prevention and response best practices that support health and safety."
