Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Three out of four U.S. workers have skipped going into work because of a hazardous condition like severe weather, a security concern, or an infrastructure failure. That instinct isn’t overcautious: The U.S. recorded a dozen billion-dollar weather disasters in just the first half of 2026 alone, according to Climate Central. What’s potentially more disturbing is […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. While some workers and workplaces face higher risks of violence, it can happen to any worker in any work setting. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that violent acts were the third-leading cause […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently renewed its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for warehouses and distribution centers. The new NEP replaces the agency’s July 13, 2023, directive. Significant changes in the new directive include: According to an August 6 announcement on OSHA’s website, under the renewed NEP, the agency will conduct comprehensive inspections focused […]
Didion Milling Inc. has now implemented all nine safety recommendations issued to the company by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) following an investigation into a fatal May 2017 explosion at Didion’s Cambria, Wis., facility, the board announced Aug. 12. The explosion killed five employees and seriously injured 14 others. The board issued nine […]
In April, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its National Emphasis Program on heat-related hazards. The revised program directs inspections and outreach for 55 high-risk industries in both indoor and outdoor work settings, including “warehousing and storage” under NAICS code 4931. Why does this matter for facilities managers? Because workers in warehouses, manufacturing […]
Heat waves are arriving earlier and lasting longer. According to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, 2025 was the fourth-warmest year on record for the U.S., with average temperatures 2.6°F above the 20th-century average. With rising temperatures come increased risks to the workers caught in them—particularly those in the labor-intensive manufacturing and distribution industries. Heat […]
Retail store theft levels are stabilizing, but external theft and fraud overall continue to rise, according to a new study released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council. In addition, workplace violence remains a major concern for retailers. The Impact of Theft & Violence 2026 report found that retailers experienced a […]
Healthcare facilities are designed to heal people. Yet for many healthcare workers, safety has become an increasingly urgent concern. Hospitals and healthcare campuses today face a complicated environment. Teams are managing higher patient volumes, workforce shortages, increased visitor traffic, and growing concerns around workplace violence. Security leaders are being asked to do more than respond […]
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, […]
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 […]