Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finally published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on August 30, initiating a 120-day public comment period for the agency’s proposed heat illness prevention standard (89 Fed. Reg. 70698). OSHA first released the text of its proposal on the agency website on July 2. Comments on the proposed standard are […]
California’s new Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment standard has become effective, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced July 24. The indoor heat standard applies to most indoor workplaces, such as manufacturing facilities, restaurants, and warehouses. In indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, employers must take steps to […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected five groups to receive $34 million in grants for projects helping address indoor air pollution in K-12 schools in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities across the country. This announcement comes after the agency revealed $26 million in funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools […]
Facilities managers are busily getting their K-12 schools, colleges, and universities ready for classes to resume. No matter the type of educational facility they manage, all need to be properly maintained. That’s why we’re reviewing several back-to-school projects that facilities managers should ensure are on their checklists for clean and safe buildings for the new […]
As a nation, our buildings will play a pivotal role in achieving our clean energy future. Buildings are where we live, work, and play—so it makes sense that we spend 90% of our time in buildings and that our buildings use a substantial amount of energy. Residential and commercial buildings are among the largest sources […]
Would you be ready for a power outage at your facility if it happened today? Before the power goes out, you need to assess whether your facility can ensure business continuity during an outage. Power outages can be less stressful and manageable with the right prep. Here are 8 questions facilities managers should ask themselves […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant, a three-phase, $190 million investment to help K-12 public schools make energy upgrades that will decrease energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments for students and teachers. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, […]
By automating technologies such as HVAC, lighting, fire and life safety, and security and access controls, building owners and facilities managers have realized they can achieve benefits such as more efficient energy consumption, increased response times to emergencies, and a healthier occupant environment. According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, revenue attributed to commercial […]
Although the summer might seem like an odd time to be thinking about heating, it could be the perfect opportunity to get ahead of issues before they arise in the fall and winter months. Choosing heating solutions for warehouses can be a tricky business. These expansive spaces present unique challenges, such as frequent drafts and […]
On July 2, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released text of a proposed heat injury and illness prevention standard. The proposed regulation would contain requirements for water, shade, paid breaks, heat acclimatization, and training. Heat injury and illness prevention requirements would be triggered by a National Weather Service heat index of 80° Fahrenheit (F) or […]