Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Our experts at Safety.BLR.com were recently asked, “What industries does the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consider as Special Industries?” Here is what they had to say.
As a facilities management (FM) professional, you are probably not writing workplace violence prevention plans. However, you probably are looking at facility design, and facilities managers can be key in helping their buildings and tenants with hazard identification and engineering controls used to prevent violence.
The EPA has launched its voluntary Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production New Owner Audit Program (O&G Audit Program), a descendent of the Agency’s various self-audit policies designed specifically for the upstream O&G sector. The new program offers incentives to new owners of O&G facilities who discover, disclose, and correct noncompliance with federal Clean […]
If your facility is subject to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection in the future, you may see a new tool in use. Last year, OSHA authorized its regional offices to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”) during workplace inspections.
Though the likelihood of a suspicious and/or malicious package being sent to your facility is incredibly rare, it’s better to have workers that can recognize and address a potential threat. Because it’s easy to get complacent about how U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail and packages from various delivery companies come into a facility, make sure […]
Making your workplace environmentally friendly is socially responsible, and it’s good for public relations—but could a green workplace also be good for your bottom line? Absolutely! The things that save you energy can also save you money and enable your workplace to run more efficiently.
Would you consider bees to be an occupational hazard? In 2007, three workers were stung by bees while harvesting almonds in Texas; one of them was stung more than 60 times and had to be taken to the hospital. In 2008, a worker in California was stung while driving a tractor and died of an […]
How do you get rid of crabgrass on your facility grounds? Or insects? Or clover, thistle, dandelion, or any of the other weeds that mar your attractive landscaping? Hand weeding may be a good option for a well-mulched flowerbed, but pesticides may be the most effective solution for large grounds and lawns. If your workers […]
Leaf blowers aren’t just for autumn—you’ll see them in use throughout the year. They can be used to blow the grass off your mower, to blow cut grass off sidewalks and paths … they have essentially replaced brooms and rakes for many tasks. They may be time-savers, but leaf blowers also pose hazards.
Summer is fast approaching in the northern hemisphere. Soon enough, facilities management professionals will be out in force, working hard to keep their grounds and buildings attractive for tenants and customers, with the familiar growl of mowers and lawn tractors, the howl of leaf blowers, and the whiz of string trimmers echo through the land. […]