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Legionella bacteria

Legionella Prevention Method Hinges on Facility Water System Management

The number of news items reporting on Legionella outbreaks has been growing at an alarming rate. Just yesterday, the Ford Motor Company reported that trace amounts of the bacteria were found in the water system at their flagship Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan. According to the report, the bacteria was discovered “in three locations across […]

Roof garden terrace with brise soleil sun breakers on modern office building facade, heat protection, global warming, sustainable living concept

How Green Buildings Promote Health and Performance

To make buildings more comfortable, functional, and efficient, facility management professionals should consider how people think and feel. Research shows that investing in green buildings not only helps the environment but also has a positive impact on our psychology. From improving decision-making ability to minimizing depression, green buildings enhance your organization and contribute to your […]

slips, trips, and falls

Slips, Trips, and Falls: Some Effective Interventions

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents—and the vast majority are actually falls on the same level, not 30-foot falls from a roof or some other height. Falls cause 15% of all accidental deaths, and are second only to motor vehicles as […]

Chemical facility safety

Consensus Standards for Safety: What Facility Managers Need to Know

Facilities managers depend on standards to efficiently and consistently do good work, and when it comes to safety, there are many resources for them to consult. The U.S. Chemical and Safety Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a Safety Spotlight recommending that employers closely apply industry consensus standards to safeguard employee and public safety. Titled “The […]

Don’t Slip Up on Fall Prevention

In 2017, slips and falls accounted for 887 work-related deaths, making it the second leading cause of work-related death in the United States, according to the National Safety Council’s 2017 Injury Facts®. In general industry, slips, trips, and falls cause the most injuries and comprise 17% of accidental deaths, and in the construction industry, they […]

Facility management staff inspecting building

Proving General Duty Clause Violations is Easier Said Than Done

The General Duty Clause (Clause) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act has been in effect since the Act’s passage in 1970 and should be an important consideration in employer worker safety and hazard reduction plans. Although most employers that are familiar with the federal and state worker-protection standards to implement the OSH Act […]

vendor delivery

Vendors (Even the Familiar Ones) Must Follow Access Control Policies

It can be easy for vendors to get overly familiar with their customers and perhaps try to bypass security policies related to access control, waiting time, or entering parts of the facility they really don’t need to be. Therefore, all employees should be reminded to follow established protocols for vendor interactions.

Active Shooter Training for Your Facility Workers

An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms, and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. While it’s very tempting to think “it could never happen here,” training for the worst […]

Using hand sanitizer

Superbugs are Evolving Resistance to Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers

There’s a growing concern among healthcare researchers about bacteria’s ability to handle its booze. Recent studies highlight a potentially serious safety concern blossoming for healthcare facilities as certain forms of bacteria are becoming more tolerant of the alcohol used in popular hand sanitizers.