Tag: facilities management

How IT/OT Has Turned Physical Security Into Cybersecurity

Anyone paying attention to the security industry of the past decade can tell you that the way we implement and carry out our tactical security programs is very different today than it used to be. Technology has brought massive changes into the physical security space, with smart cameras replacing eyeballs for surveillance, our cell phones […]

Lessons Learned About Cleaning Due to the Pandemic

We have learned a number of very valuable lessons from the pandemic that cannot be overlooked. This is true in many industry sectors but is especially true for facility managers, housekeeping departments, and contract cleaners hired to clean all types of commercial facilities. Some suggest the critical lesson learned from the pandemic is just how […]

Distributed Energy Resources ‘Rapidly Expanding’ in Commercial Buildings

Distributed energy resources (DER), including electric vehicle (EV) chargers, rooftop solar PV, and battery energy storage, are rapidly expanding in commercial buildings, according to a report from Guidehouse Insights. The report forecasts global spending on DER in commercial buildings to reach $17.6 billionin 2021, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% to […]

U.S. Manufacturing Partners Save $9B in Energy Costs Under ‘Better Plants’ Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the Fall 2021 Better Buildings, Better Plants progress update. The report highlights more than 250 manufacturers and water utilities that have introduced energy efficiency and decarbonization measures, cumulatively saving $9.3 billion in energy costs and 1.9 quadrillion British thermal units (Btus)—more energy than the state of Wisconsin consumes […]

OSHA Ranks Top 10 Workplace Safety Violations of FY 2021

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced its preliminary Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2021. Patrick Kapust, Deputy Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, presented the list virtually during the 2021 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, a tradeshow held live in Orlando, Fla., and virtually Oct. […]

Study: What COVID-Era Workers Want Most in Office Restrooms

When it comes to restroom breaks, office workers in the U.S. say that touchless restroom fixtures are the No. 1 feature that would make them feel safer when using their workplace restroom, according to a new survey. In the Healthy Handwashing Survey, conducted by restroom equipment manufacturer Bradley Corp., touch-free washroom fixtures received the highest safety ranking, […]

How to Reach Sustainability, Safety, and Environmental Goals

From surveys, we know that nearly 50% of U.S. consumers want to change their consumption habits to save the environment. In fact, one environmentally-focused survey found four out of five people describe themselves as likely to choose a brand that prioritizes environmental sustainability. This desire also impacts where employees want to work, as companies that […]

Serious Considerations About Instant Access to O&M Manuals

Facility teams are responsible for maintaining, inspecting, and fine-tuning a variety of equipment and facility systems, including air handlers, generators, boilers, elevators, and other equipment for safe and efficient operation. Remembering the sizes of different belts, filters, and other applicable parts is part of the job, so facility teams rely on O&Ms (also known as […]

What Does Legalized Marijuana Mean for Workplace Safety?

The National Safety Council, a major U.S. nonprofit safety advocate, released results of a survey conducted as part of an ongoing effort to assess the risks of cannabis in the workplace, and the group said the results are clear: Employers must do more to educate and protect their workers. The survey, conducted between April and […]

Coalition Releases Cleaning Guidelines for Reopening N.Y. Businesses

New York was one of the first states in the U.S. to suffer a major outbreak of COVID-19, so it stands to reason that any steps that may help safely reopen facilities and operations there are noteworthy for just about anywhere else across the country. The Cleaning Coalition of America, a trade group representing cleaning […]