Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Although delayed by the government shutdown, the EPA has finalized regulations adjusting its civil penalties to account for inflation. If you’re responsible for a facility that manages hazardous waste or is subject to clean air and water regulations (among others), be sure to take note of these developments.
On Monday, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual list of Top 10 States for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the world’s most widely used green building rating system. To create the list, states were ranked based on the number of LEED certified square feet per person. Combined, the states that […]
The best way to minimize mold in a building is to know the most common places it may occur, develop routine inspection schedules, and follow procedures for ongoing maintenance. Most guidance information recognizes there are differences between “heating climates” such as during very cold winter months and “cooling climates” during the summer, but there are […]
Are you looking to break into the facilities management field? Or do you have years of experience in FM, but can’t understand why you aren’t getting that dream job or promotion? You may be considering getting certified in facilities management as a way to increase your job potential. Which certification should you pursue? How much […]
The Midwest is currently in the grips of a polar vortex, dropping temperatures anywhere from 10 to 50 degrees below normal for this time of year. As you crank up the heat in your facility to deal with this extreme cold, be sure to double check your monitoring systems, as the risks from carbon monoxide […]
On January 22, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that was opening registration for its newest version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building program, v4.1. The call for registration covers the LEED platforms for both new construction projects (BD+C) and interior spaces (ID+C).
OSHA’s illumination standards for construction (29 CFR 1926.56) and shipyard employment (29 CFR 1915.82) set minimum lighting requirements in terms of foot-candles, a term that has been somewhat indistinct for employers and one that OSHA itself has acknowledged does not provide clear direction on how much light is needed for specific tasks.
Drug use among employees is a broad concern for any organization, and with wide acceptance of medical marijuana and the legalization or decriminalization of recreational marijuana in many states, facility managers, along with HR and security personnel can have difficulty navigating these changes. While public attitudes regarding marijuana use are shifting, serious concerns remain about […]
OSHA’s final rule to increase its civil penalties by approximately 2.5% for 2019 has been published in the Federal Register and took effect immediately on January 23, 2019. The rule brings a new maximum single-violation penalty of $132,598 for willful and repeat violations. The increases adjust for inflation as required by the Federal Civil Penalties […]
On January 18, 2019, President Trump signed a bill providing another 15 months of funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program (CFATS). Trump signed the bill the day after the program was set to expire. News of the extension provides a moment to examine one of the more unusual […]