Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Earlier this year, a car was driven straight through the closed entrance of a mall, and suspects made off with thousands of dollars worth of electronics. The police described the event as a “smash-and-grab” style robbery and were unable to locate the suspects in question for multiple weeks. Eventually, they did apprehend two suspects, with […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) again cited discount retailers Dollar Tree and Dollar General for blocked exit routes in their stores. On April 24, the agency announced it’s seeking $770,136 in penalties for hazards related to obstructed exits, unsafe storage of materials, fire, and other hazards at Dollar Tree stores in East Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode […]
Remember the shortage of toilet paper during the pandemic and, more recently, the shortage of eggs in grocery stores? Facilities Management leaders at Colorado State University (CSU) say they are still feeling those same effects—but for different products. They are seeing supply chain issues and worker shortages causing longer wait times when trying to acquire […]
There’s a wide variety of possible scenarios that may require a service technician, facilities manager, or manufacturer’s rep to troubleshoot a commercial pump. Regardless of the circumstances, using a methodical approach is best when diagnosing a pumping problem. At Taco Comfort Solutions, we’ve found that 80% to 90% of the calls we receive about commercial “pump […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. With April being Emergency Communications Month, let’s spotlight facilities that are vital in responding to emergencies. Public safety answering points (PSAPs) and emergency operations centers (EOCs) are critical facilities that provide essential services to the community […]
Businesses that fail to keep their restrooms clean and maintained are unwittingly flushing away customers’ repeat business and sales. According to the Healthy Handwashing Survey from Bradley Corp., almost 60% of Americans make it a point to stop at a business and will spend more money at the establishment if they know it has clean […]
In facilities management, a lot of tasks require using a ladder. But without proper safety practices, ladder usage can lead to injuries or even death. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ladder deaths accounted for 161 on-the-job fatalities in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available. That same year, there […]
Earth Day 2023, which is being celebrated on Saturday, April 22, has a theme of “Invest in Our Planet.” To participate, facilities management professionals should consider ways to invest in making their facilities more environmentally friendly. Sustainability often benefits not only the planet, but also the bottom line. Here are five ways to make facilities […]
For many people, the term “cholesterol” is associated with serious health issues such as heart problems, clogging of the arteries, and stroke. But doctors will tell you that not all cholesterol is created equal. HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is considered by doctors today to be “good” cholesterol, while LDL, low-density lipoprotein, is “bad.” It took doctors […]
Federal safety inspectors found that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) endangered maintenance workers at its healthcare facility in Prescott, Ariz., by allowing them to work on steam lines without ensuring they followed required safety procedures. Similar hazards previously killed two workers at a VA facility in Connecticut. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety […]