Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Whether we’re thrilled or dragging our feet about returning to the office, there’s a question that lingers: What does our workspace look like now? Post-pandemic, offices have undergone major changes as the real estate industry adapts to hybrid ways of working. Here are three office space trends to watch this year: 1. Offices Are Getting […]
For organizations of any size to reliably protect people, property, and valuable information from malicious actors, stakeholders must develop and implement bespoke security systems. While several components come together to form effective security solutions, some devices and technologies offer operators and staff enhanced capabilities in terms of threat detection. With almost 30% of American businesses […]
If your facility has been cited by OSHA, EPA, the EEOC, or another regulatory agency, it’s important to take steps immediately to address violations and bring your workplace into compliance. While some corrections may fall solely upon your environment, health, and safety (EHS) department, others may require the involvement of facilities management (FM) pros in […]
Ensuring the safety of the people who occupy your facilities should be your No. 1 goal. A safe facility generally means that the people working there are doing better work. Those who come to work feeling safe can apply all their energy to the task at hand instead of worrying about whether something bad will […]
Creating a facility master plan is a bit like piecing together a puzzle—there are a lot of moving parts to consider. Whether you decide to bring in external help or lean on your internal team, the key is to ensure your plan accurately reflects your facility’s current state, anticipates future changes, and outlines a clear […]
As office, governmental, and educational facilities age, facilities managers face difficult decisions about what to do with these structures. They often face three options: renovate, rebuild, or demolish the aging structures altogether. Any of those choices comes with a hefty price tag that organizations and companies must consider before making their next move. While removing […]
“By working as a team, you can overcome any challenge over time,” said Lesley Groff. Groff is the Senior Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for UGI Utilities Inc., a natural gas and electric utility serving more than 730,000 customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland. Over her 25-plus-year career, Groff also held […]
Long before the pandemic, researchers knew that poor indoor air quality (IAQ) made workers sick and decreased cognition and attendance. A Harvard study of more than 3,000 workers showed that sick leave doubled among employees in poorly ventilated areas. Poor air IAQ has also been shown to decrease office workers’ cognitive function and decision-making, as well […]
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. “Duty of care” refers to the moral and legal obligations of employers to keep their employees, staff, contractors, vendors, and volunteers safe and secure when in the workplace, and when traveling on company business. According […]
Red Ball Drills® are a unique emergency preparedness method that make real-time training more productive and less traumatic. While it is primarily associated with active shooter training, its uses can extend into many areas of facilities management—a “red ball” can signify any preparedness situation, from equipment failure to natural disasters to physical or cybersecurity threats.