Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Fatal workplace injuries declined 3.7% in 2023, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced with the mid-December release of its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). There were 5,283 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2023. The fatal work injury rate was 3.5 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers—down […]
A new report finds retail facilities are facing more crime than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Retailers reported a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 versus 2019 and a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting over the same time period, according to a new study […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Amazon have entered into a corporate-wide settlement to help better protect employees from hazardous working conditions leading to serious lower back and other musculoskeletal disorders at Amazon facilities. The settlement agreement resolves the department’s multiple ergonomics cases against Amazon.com Services LLC, in the first major multi-site investigation […]
Alternative fuel vehicles are designed with larger quantities of combustible materials (e.g., fuels, plastics, synthetic materials, etc.) that present new and unique hazards, particularly in parking garages and vehicle carriers. To help provide informed guidance for the fire safety design of parking garages or other facilities where a large number of vehicles are densely placed, […]
As wildfires and prescribed burns increasingly impact communities worldwide, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published a new resource aimed at safeguarding indoor air quality (IAQ) during these events. ASHRAE Guideline 44-2024, Protecting Building Occupants From Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events, outlines best practices for building design, operation, and […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important but possibly overlooked information facilities management professionals should know. There are many hazards in the workplace, but one of the most insidious is mold. Exposure to mold and fungus can lead to health problems for workers, so you need to keep an eye on it. According […]
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. Whenever transformative technology emerges into an industry, there’s a natural worry that it could replace job roles or functions. When we look at physical security, there are interesting ways that new artificial intelligence (AI) […]
With winter and cold weather rapidly approaching, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is re-emphasizing to chemical facilities the importance of being prepared for extreme cold to avoid serious chemical accidents. Data on chemical releases shows that there is a notable increase of incidents at chemical facilities during the cold weather months. In […]
Following in-depth research into evolving trends shaping the physical security industry, Genetec shares insights into how these might impact facilities managers in 2025. 1. Hybrid-Cloud Adoption Will Gain Traction As organizations become more strategic in how they approach and implement cloud solutions in their environment, decision-makers will prioritize hybrid systems. They’ll look for the best […]
Whether at concerts, sports games, fairs, or other events, large crowds of people are a top target for malicious actors, making venue security paramount. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a new “Venue Guide for Security Considerations” to help venue operators enhance safety, protect assets, and create secure environments through effective security measures and […]