Category: Safety

Safety School: Consistent Training Mitigates Risk of Workplace Incidents

A workplace accident can take just a few seconds. But those brief incidents have a major impact on the U.S. economy. Employers reported 2.3 million workplace injuries in 2022. The direct costs associated with those incidents—worker’s compensation claims and related medical and legal expenses—add up to $1 billion a week. That’s not counting the indirect […]

sprinkler

Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Facility

This year, Fire Prevention Week is being observed Oct. 6-12. Fire is one of the worst things that can happen to your facility, damaging the property you have so carefully maintained and putting lives at risk. A way to gain an advantage over costly and harmful fires is properly maintaining wet and dry fire sprinkler […]

Feds Offer K-12 School Guidance to Address ‘Scourge of Anonymous Threats’

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help K-12 schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to […]

EPA Awards 2024 ‘Safer Choice’ Partners for Cleaning, Other Chemical Products

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 43 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across 20 states and the District of Columbia, recognizing their achievements in the design, manufacture, promotion, selection, and use of cleaners, detergents, and other products with safer chemicals. The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers at facilities find […]

NFL and FEMA Partner to Use Stadiums as Disaster Response Centers

Stadiums and venues provide a central and accessible location to help communities respond to extreme weather crises, providing safe storage and shelter in times of need. With these events becoming more frequent, severe, and expensive, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Football League (NFL) are teaming up on a new program that will […]

SIA Survey: Industry Confidence Spikes Among Security Leaders

Political conflict and gridlock may be weighing on some businesses, but more than seven out of 10 security industry leaders still reported positive conditions at their companies, according to the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) September-October Security Market Index (SMI) survey. Twenty-eight percent of survey participants said that current business conditions are “excellent,” while 43% described them […]

Drone inspecting a construction workplace

Top Uses of Drones and Robots for Facilities

Futuristic technology is proving that it can create efficiencies for building operations, and facilities managers are finding ways to incorporate it into their tasks. But while many facilities managers may be knowledgeable about the Internet of Things (IoT), building information modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), new sustainability measures, and cloud-based solutions, there could be some […]

Adjusting Facility Design to Meet Today’s Security Demands

When designing facilities from the ground up, several key safety factors are understandably considered to ensure the safety of occupants. HVAC and fire code compliance—like fire suppression systems, smoke detectors, and proper ventilation—are crucial. Planners ensure new facilities have clear exit paths, accessible exits, and adequate lighting. Facilities may incorporate basic security measures such as […]

DHS Awards $18M in Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded 35 grants, totaling $18 million, under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program for fiscal year 2024 (FY24). Awardees include public health organizations, colleges and universities, and groups working with underserved communities. The program is administered by the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) and […]

How Do We Stop These School Shootings?

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 senseless killing of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in rural Georgia on Sept. 4 once again begs the question, “How do we stop these school shootings?” It seems we […]