Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
There are always chemicals present in facilities, and it’s incumbent on the facility manager to inform their employees or tenants of potential hazards. It’s not always clear, however, which chemicals are required in a communication plan. Experts at Enviro.BLR.com® were recently asked the best way to determine what chemicals are considered “hazardous” when creating a […]
On July 17, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a January 2023 explosion and toxic chemical release at the Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies facility in Geismar, La. A reboiler at the facility exploded, leading to the release of over 870 pounds (lb) of hydrogen fluoride (HF) […]
A building can feature every visible marker of sustainability—efficient HVAC, LED lighting, smart appliances and controls, even solar panels—and still fall short. How is this possible? The answer is often hidden just out of sight: Lurking in cracks and gaps throughout a building’s envelope and HVAC system, uncontrolled air leakage is silently undermining nearly every […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have announced the winners of the 2022 ENERGY STAR Awards. These 210 organizations, which represent the top ENERGY STAR partners, are making important contributions in support of America’s clean energy transition. They come from 37 states and span nearly every sector of the economy, including Fortune 500 […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy have announced the winners of the 2023 ENERGY STAR Awards. These 220 organizations, which represent the top ENERGY STAR partners, are making significant contributions in support of the clean energy transition. They come from 37 states and multiple economic sectors, including Fortune 500 companies, […]
Workplace violence is not industry specific and can happen to workers in any facility. With that in mind, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) states that workplace violence is a recognizable hazard and reminds employers that they are responsible for protecting employees from assaults and homicides at their facilities.
For facilities managers, the systems used to generate and store heat tend to be all-important—at least amidst plunging temperatures and bleak winter elements. As soon as outside conditions turn warm, thermal heating systems are more easily placed out of sight and out of mind. The sunny days of spring and early summer are no time […]
Energy efficiency is one of the top concerns of facilities management professionals, and a recent proposal from the Department of Energy (DOE) may influence how lighting products are defined under certain regulations. The DOE is proposing to withdraw a rule issued in the final days of the Obama administration that expanded the definition of general […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the $3 billion Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emission equipment, infrastructure, and climate planning at U.S. ports. According to the EPA, the program is designed to help ports across the country transition to fully zero-emissions operations—serving as a catalyst for transformational change across the freight sector. The funding opportunities were […]
As a facilities management (FM) leader, how you lead matters to those around you. Your team depends on you to cast the vision for company goals and to provide them with strong direction, support, and the tools needed to be successful in their roles. So, how can you be the best leader for your team? […]