Category: Safety

CSB Issues Probe Update on Louisiana Facility Explosion, Toxic Release

On July 17, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a January 2023 explosion and toxic chemical release at the Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies facility in Geismar, La. A reboiler at the facility exploded, leading to the release of over 870 pounds (lb) of hydrogen fluoride (HF) […]

DHS Launches Federal Advisory Board on School Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the inaugural members of the Federal School Safety Clearinghouse External Advisory Board, a group of school safety experts and education leaders that will provide advice and recommendations on practical ways to enhance K-12 school safety and security. The board will advise the DHS secretary through the Cybersecurity […]

Electrical panel with clear safety warning

Illuminating Arc Flash: Unearthing Insights for a Safer Future

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, it’s critical for facilities and building operators to ensure the safety of their electrical infrastructure. One of the two primary electrical hazards are arc flash events, which can result in significant injury to workers and major disruptions to power operations. What Is an Arc Flash? Arc flash: a term […]

Bees

Back to Basics: Pay Attention to 5 Pest Hot Spots in Your Facilities

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know.  Now that we are in the middle of summer with warmer temperatures as the norm, you might have noticed pests entering your facility. But where are they coming in, you might ask? More than just a nuisance, […]

How to Work with First Responders for Facility Emergencies

Two retired law enforcement officials believe facilities managers should work more closely with emergency responders to keep people, and the facilities they occupy, safe. Each with 33 years of law enforcement experience, Mark Wood, a retired chief executive police officer from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department; and Jeri Williams, who retired after serving as the […]

Trump Attack Proves Importance of Special Event Security Planning

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pa., has made it obvious that the attention to detail required for securing special events cannot be overly stressed. The ease with […]

UGA Details Major Security Upgrades in Wake of On-Campus Murder

When new and returning University of Georgia (UGA) students come to Athens for the fall semester, they will notice a series of highly visible initiatives to further strengthen campus security—from new signs and perimeter fencing to lighting upgrades, emergency call stations, and automated license plate readers, according to a university announcement. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors […]

Emergency Response Plan

4 Ways to Prepare for Emergency Response at Your Facility

Are you prepared if your facility experiences an emergency? Don’t risk unnecessary harm to your building or its occupants if you haven’t prioritized this important part of facilities management. When disasters and security issues occur, facilities managers need to act quickly and ensure they have effective plans to deal with emergency situations. During Facilities Management […]

Dollar General, OSHA Enter $12M Settlement Agreement over Safety Hazards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has entered into a corporate-wide settlement agreement with Dollar General and its retail subsidiaries to make significant workplace safety improvements in stores nationwide. Based in Goodlettsville, Tenn., Dollar General is a discount retailer that operates more than 19,000 stores. OSHA frequently cited the company for alleged violations such as blocked […]

FMA Shorts: What Is the Importance of Worker Safety?

On this latest episode of FMA Shorts, Scott DeBow, principal of health/safety and environmental at Avetta, discusses some of the main consequences of neglecting worker safety. This clip was taken from a webinar titled “Mythbusting the Top Contractor Risk Management Megatrends of 2024.” The full session is available for FREE on-demand here.