Tag: workplace safety

What’s Ahead for the 2024 Hurricane Season?

Hurricanes can cause major property damage and interrupt business operations. So, how many of these potentially dangerous storms should facilities managers expect (and prepare for) this year? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to Nov. 30. The agency predicts a high […]

Prioritizing Duty of Care for a Safe and Secure Workplace

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. “Duty of care” refers to the moral and legal obligations of employers to keep their employees, staff, contractors, vendors, and volunteers safe and secure when in the workplace, and when traveling on company business. According […]

5 Ways Handwashing Habits Have Changed Since COVID

While it’s been four years since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives, one behavior has left a lasting impression: handwashing. That’s based on survey findings of more than 1,000 American adults conducted by Bradley Company, a global manufacturer of commercial washroom fixtures. In 2024, the impacts of the pandemic remain—especially in terms of hand hygiene and public restrooms. […]

Heat Safety Advocates Criticize Florida Law Banning Water Breaks, Cooling Measures

A new measure signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that prohibits local workplace standards requiring drinking water and cooling measures increases the risk of worker deaths from heat exposure, according to worker safety advocates. “The bill in Florida threatens to strip millions of workers of fundamental heat protection measures, such as access to […]

The Future of Smart Buildings: Trends and Tech for Facilities Managers

Smart technology has been on the rise in recent years. Data collected by Google shows that 61% of people now own a smart device like a virtual assistant, smartwatch, or smart TV. The trend towards increased smart-tech adoption applies to businesses, too. Google data shows that industry leaders are 1.5 times as likely to utilize […]

Is Your Facility Blackout-Ready? Ensuring Safety and Continuity During Power Failures

Between extreme weather events, an aging power grid, and the transition to renewable energy, power interruptions are becoming a much greater risk in all parts of the country. Many will remember the highly publicized 2013 Super Bowl blackout when the power shut down the biggest game in American sports for 34 minutes, plunging the New […]

Mitigating Workplace Hazards with Smart Facility Design

Workplaces of all shapes and sizes have potential safety hazards lurking around almost every corner. From slippery floors and poor indoor air quality to excessive noise and inadequate emergency preparedness, the number of employee safety and well-being risks is quite high. Facilities managers everywhere have a duty of care to mitigate these dangers for the […]

Company Officials Sentenced to Federal Prison over Deadly Facility Explosion

A Wisconsin federal judge has sentenced six Didion Milling Inc. officials for their role in a fatal explosion at a facility operated by the corn milling company in 2017. “These defendants put Didion workers in grave danger, and five people tragically lost their lives, devastating their families and their community,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. […]

The Value of Skilled Trade Certifications: A Pathway to Career Advancement and Safety

Certifications have become a cornerstone in the professional development of skilled trade workers, particularly in the fire, electrical, and life safety realms. Certification programs are designed to be comprehensive, promoting competency and safety in various specialized domains. In today’s competitive job market, the value of certifications extends far beyond a mere acknowledgment of skills; it […]

Green from Above: Harnessing Drone Inspections to Boost Building ESG Performance

In the realm of sustainable development, the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria has gained significant traction. Major property owners, in particular, have come under increasing scrutiny on their environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance practices. Fortunately, drone inspections present a promising avenue for enhancing building ESG performance. This article explores how drone […]