Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Facility managers are responsible for handling a number of key elements that relate to the overall health, wellness, and safety of the workers in their organization. There are many hazards in a facility that are straightforward to address: putting out wet floor signs to alert workers to a slip and fall hazard, or providing hearing […]
We have all witnessed water waste in public places—sprinklers running during a rainstorm, restroom faucets that won’t stop dripping and toilets that just keep running—and think, “Boy, I’d hate to have to pay that water bill.” But as a facilities management professional, you may have to worry about that water bill at your organization. More […]
If your organization operates a medical facility, or has a large enough campus to warrant having an onsite health clinic, there’s a good chance you need to deal with various types of medical waste. Sharps are of particular concern, as they can pose several different risks. One question that pops up for facility managers whose […]
The summer of 2018 was particularly devastating for much of the wildfire-prone western states. And though the drought has broken in some of the most devastated regions — helping to alleviate some of the immediate danger — wildfire risk remains high in 2019. The lessons learned from battling the Carr and Camp fires can hopefully […]
There has been a dramatic increase in coverage regarding lead and lead poisoning, particularly since the water crisis in Flint, Michigan hit the news. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making some moves that will expand lead regulations, that could have an impact on older facilities, especially pre-1978 structures where children are present, such […]
Yesterday we examined the steps OSHA’s taking to protect tree care workers alongside some of the agency’s general procedural recommendations to keep employees safe on the job. Today, we’ll expand the discussion to include some of the more specific hazards surrounding tree care work, from chippers to aerial lifts, and best practices for controlling them.
Of all the jobs available in the United States, tree care operations continually rank among the most hazardous. Landscape service workers comprise less than 1 percent of the total workforce but account for 3.5 percent of all workplace fatalities, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries; of those fatalities, 75 percent are […]
“Is the waste my facility produces hazardous?” This is a question common to generators of wastes in all industries. The answer to this question is essential, as it’s at the heart of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations for handlers of hazardous waste. Generators as well as facility managers and/or owners of treatment, […]
Safety is imperative at facility loading docks, and every precaution should be taken to ensure that employees are safe. However, is it necessary to use both dock locks and wheel chocks? See what experts at Safety.BLR.com® had to say on the matter.
Chemical exposure is a big safety and environmental hazard. But for a lot of facilities, the only chemicals they regularly use are cleaning supplies. However, only some employees (such as janitorial or facilities management staff) may be using stronger solvents, while other materials are being used by all employees throughout the entire workforce. So, who […]