Category: Safety

OSHA inspector

How Facility Teams Can Document Building Inspections More Effectively

You walk a 200,000-square-foot building, photograph a cracked expansion joint on the roof, a dripping valve in the mechanical room, and a blocked fire exit on the third floor, then move on. Three months later, an insurer asks you to prove you flagged that exit and that a contractor cleared it. You have 80 photos […]

Are Common Workplace Injuries Costing You?

We recently examined uncommon workplace injuries, referred to as “serious injuries and fatalities” (SIFs). Professional safety groups like the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the National Safety Council (NSC) have researched SIFs for years and offer employers resources to prevent SIFs. But what about common workplace injuries like musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and slips, […]

Survey: Clean Restrooms Support Public Health and Visitor Loyalty This Summer

As airports, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other public facilities welcome larger summer crowds, Bradley Company’s 17th annual Healthy Handwashing Survey highlights the role that well-maintained restrooms play in protecting public health and creating a positive visitor experience. The survey comes as Americans navigate another busy summer travel season while public health officials continue monitoring foodborne […]

Indoor Air Quality Policy Is ‘Entering a New Era’

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the Brown University Pandemic Center, and the Air Club have jointly released a new report highlighting a rapidly expanding wave of indoor air quality (IAQ) policy innovation across the globe. Drawing lessons from nearly 160 policies spanning 40 countries, the report identifies five leading policy models that governments are […]

workplace safety

OSHA-Compliant Doesn’t Always Equal Up-to-Date

Walk through almost any facility and you’ll see hard hats, safety glasses, first aid kits, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in use every day. The gear is there, employees are trained, and everything appears to comply. But here’s the question many employers never ask: Is compliance enough? What some facilities managers don’t realize is […]

Expert Q&A: Cooper Briscoe of Brivo on AI-Powered Video Intelligence

Editor’s note: In this interview with FMA sister publication EHSLeaders, Cooper Briscoe, VP of marketing at Brivo, discusses how AI-powered video intelligence helps organizations get increased value out of existing camera systems. (Edited for clarity) Q: Why hasn’t the prevalence of cameras resulted in improved safety? Briscoe: I think you have to look back at what cameras […]

Why Facilities Managers Are Replacing Paper Visitor Logs with Smart Systems

A facilities manager’s day is full of urgent tasks. Managing the visitor log rarely feels urgent. But paper sign-in sheets create small costs that add up over time. First, lost records. Paper gets thrown away, coffee-stained, or torn. If an insurance adjuster asks for a thirty-day visitor history after an incident, a missing page becomes […]

State vs. Federal Workplace Safety: What to Know as the Regulatory Ground Shifts

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.  With the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) expected to stay on the rulemaking sidelines over the next few years, states are moving in different directions regarding workplace safety. Some are tightening their […]

Why Buildings Pass Their Public Safety Radio Test One Year and Fail the Next

A building’s public safety communication system passes inspection. The certificate of occupancy stays intact, the fire marshal signs off, and the facilities team moves on. Twelve months later, the same system fails recertification. Nothing was touched. Nothing was changed. And yet, somewhere between last year’s pass and this year’s test, the building quietly lost coverage. […]

Top Safety Tips for Your Fourth of July Celebration

Editor’s note: Originally published in 2024, this article is being reposted in honor of the upcoming holiday. In facilities management, workplace safety is key. But, hey, you aren’t always working—at least hopefully not! If you’re one of the millions of Americans set to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, you should make sure to prioritize […]