Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
California has reported the country’s first positive hantavirus rodent detection of 2026, a stark reminder that this relatively rare but deadly disease remains an active threat. The disease gained renewed attention last year following the tragic death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of legendary actor Gene Hackman, from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). “Rodent-borne diseases didn’t disappear after last year’s tragedy,” said […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Are you and your employees prepared for cold winter temperatures and extreme weather hazards? Even if your facility or worksites are outside the country’s “snow belt,” you need to be mindful of cold-weather hazards. Workers unaccustomed to […]
Rising workplace violence, especially in healthcare and other client-facing sectors, points to a growing security challenge that demands facility managers’ attention. According to recent research from Verkada and The Harris Poll, 82% of healthcare workers want their employers to increase security measures, with 77% reporting no improvements in the past year. While strong security has […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a fresh-cut vegetable processing company for willfully and repeatedly violating safety requirements after a worker was fatally injured while cleaning and sanitizing a machine, the agency announced Nov. 24. The agency initiated an inspection into Taylor Farms New Jersey Inc. after being notified of a fatality […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. The injury rate for workers in the warehousing and storage industry is 4.8 injuries per 100 workers, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data—higher than the average rate of 2.7 injuries per 100 workers for all U.S. […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. This piece was originally posted by sister publication EHSLeaders, which is hosting a webinar on workplace violence prevention on Dec. 8. Free registration is available here. Twenty-year-old Amber Czech, a welder at a manufacturing facility in Cokato, Minn., was recently killed at work. According to charges filed by the Wright County Attorney’s […]
U.S. employers spend $58.78 billion annually on worker injuries, insurer Liberty Mutual announced July 15 with the release of its 2025 Workplace Safety Index. The top 10 causes of serious workplace injuries account for over 86%, or $50.87 billion, of the total cost. Liberty Mutual has compiled its index for 25 years, identifying the top 10 […]
Is it time for your healthcare facilities to invest in more security measures—or risk losing essential workers? Nearly two in five healthcare workers in the U.S. say they have considered leaving their positions due to safety concerns, with almost half (45%) likely to leave their job in the next 12 months, according to new research […]
Industrial personal protective equipment (PPE) has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent decades, transitioning from basic protective gear to sophisticated, essential equipment that does more than just sit on one’s head. Helmets, safety harnesses, and clothing have evolved into interconnected systems capable of real-time monitoring, data collection, and predictive analytics. Today’s PPE landscape is transforming […]
The manufacturing industry has long been characterized by its assembly-line-style factory layout design. Improving the safety of factory workers has been a focus in recent years, which led to a shift in factory layout design. By rethinking the layout, it is possible to create a safer working environment for employees, reduce the risk of accidents, […]