Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a proposal to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule that would require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within 10 years. The agency is also proposing additional improvements to protect public health, such as lowering the lead action level and improving sampling protocols used by […]
As the year’s peak shopping season hits its stride, an inaugural Retail Worker Safety Report from Motorola Solutions found that many retail workers and managers perceive safety incidents at their stores are on the rise. The survey’s U.S. respondents reported that petty theft (54%), grab-and-run incidents (35%), and hostile customer interactions (31%) have increased in their stores over […]
On Dec. 6, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on the deadly explosions and fires at the Didion Milling Inc. dry corn milling facility in Cambria, Wis. The May 2017 explosion fatally injured five employees and seriously injured another 14. The incident destroyed the facility, resulting in over $15 million […]
Winter brings to mind a picturesque landscape blanketed in snow, but for workers, it also poses unique challenges to safety. The cold temperatures, icy surfaces, and unpredictable weather conditions demand heightened vigilance to ensure the well-being of both workers and the projects they undertake. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the critical aspects of […]
To make sure this holiday season is truly joyful, the U.S. Department of Labor reminds employers and workers not to overlook workplace safety and health. For a sad reminder of how an on-the-job tragedy can leave families, friends, and co-workers grief-stricken, look no further than Akron, Ohio, where a 25-year-old worker—hanging holiday lights on a […]
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released the 2024 TSA Canine Calendar, an annual tradition that honors the agency’s more than 1,000 explosives detection canines working across the United States. The 2024 TSA Canine Calendar is available for immediate download here. TSA uses canines as part of its multilayered security operations nationwide and also trains about 300 […]
The Biden administration has announced new actions and resources to address the “alarming rise” of reported Antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents at schools and on college campuses since the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. These actions aim to help protect students, engage school and university leaders, and foster safe and supportive learning environments. President Joe […]
Editor’s note: The Global Security Exchange (GSX), presented by ASIS International, is an annual gathering of security professionals worldwide. ESFM Vice President of Security Solutions Russ Collett recently attended GSX 2023 in Dallas and wrote his takeaways on how key trends apply to facilities management. The world is getting smaller, technology is getting smarter, and […]
A new law recently enacted in California requires employers to implement a workplace violence prevention plan and could prove influential if other states follow suit. On Sept. 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 553 into law, requiring nearly all businesses to have their plans in place by July 1, 2024. Exempted from the law are […]
According to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) latest National Retail Security Survey, retail crime represented $112.1 billion in losses in 2022. To bring attention to this crucial issue, October 26 has been designated as “Fight Retail Crime Day.” In support of the NRF’s initiative, Interface Systems shares some technology-based best practices for retailers to consider. […]