Category: Maintenance and Operations

The Rise of Robots in Commercial Buildings

Robots have been useful in taking on dangerous tasks and replacing humans in hazardous situations and unsanitary environments. Moreover, robots have slowly but steadily entered the commercial buildings space, supporting humans by taking on repetitive and tedious tasks. That’s according to a new report from Guidehouse Insights. The report explores the market for robots in […]

industrial facility manager

Five Post-COVID Themes Among U.S. Facility Managers

Seventy-five percent of U.S. facility managers say COVID-19 has caused them to permanently rethink how their facility operates, according to survey findings released by Honeywell. The report also says nearly 6 in 10 respondents are more likely to invest in indoor air quality optimization and other healthy building solutions, while 7 in 10 are now […]

disinfecting

A Primer on Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Protecting Human Health

Many building owners and managers realized when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived that they were not well versed in the rudiments of cleaning and disinfecting. In fact, many believed the two were the same, even interchangeable. That is not the case. In some instances, steps were taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that later proved […]

OSHA inspector

4 Things to Consider Before Demanding Warrant from OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance officers typically arrive without advance notice, which is enough to raise alarm bells in the minds of many employers. You might know why they’re there. Or you might not have any idea. Whatever the situation, step one should be to ask yourself: Should I demand the inspector come […]

now open

Things to Consider Before Reopening Your Workplace

As government regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic begin to loosen, employers with remote operations will have more opportunities to transition people back into the physical workplace. Here are key issues to keep in mind. No One-Size-Fits-All Solution To facilitate employees’ return to the workplace, you should develop a reopening plan and enact policies to manage […]

puzzle pieces on wood plank

OSHA Focuses Enforcement Efforts on Higher-Risk Workplaces Amid Pandemic

On March 21, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a national emphasis program (NEP) to focus its enforcement efforts on preventing employees from contracting COVID-19 and protecting those who report unsafe working conditions. In general, an NEP is a method by which OSHA temporarily focuses its resources on a specific danger or […]

Workers in facility with masks and proper distancing

What Facility Managers Need to Know about Germicidal UV-C

Safely getting employees, clients, and customers back into buildings remains top of mind for facilities professionals of all stripes, and many are looking to technology to help with the process. UV light has tremendous potential to help mitigate airborne pathogens, but unfamiliarity with this decades-old germicide has prevented some building and facility engineers from incorporating […]

Creating a Safe Warehouse Environment for Employees

Warehousing is one of the riskier industries due to the use of high-powered machinery and vehicles operating within close proximity of each other. Warehouse safety should be your utmost priority to keep employees safe, ensure efficient operation, maximize productivity, and minimize injury or damage.

semi circular glass building with a little bit of tree inside

Managing Air Quality in Your Building During Maintenance and Renovation

Employees and occupants can spend hours at a time inside your facility, so the quality of the indoor air is an important factor in their health and performance on the job. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lower worker productivity, increase missed days of work, and lead to adverse health effects. Building occupants can experience […]

Does Your Facility Meet OSHA Requirements for Floor Markings and Forklift Inspections?

Today we’re getting answers from EHS Hero® experts for two forklift-related questions. First, does OSHA require floor markings to clarify pedestrian walkways where lift traffic may be present? And second, does OSHA require annual forklift inspections? Read on to see what the experts had to say.