Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
University of Michigan Health-West has launched a K9 security program, introducing specially trained dogs and handlers who will enhance safety and bring comfort to patients, families, and staff. The new teams add another layer of protection while helping create a calm and welcoming environment for care. The K9 teams include Derek Karcher and Tukka, Isaiah […]
Violence in healthcare is a significant problem, with both physical and financial consequences. In 2022, the American Hospital Association (AHA) reported that nearly 17,000 hospital workers experienced nonfatal injuries or illnesses related to workplace violence that were serious enough to require time off. The AHA also recently reported that workplace and community violence is costing U.S. hospitals over $18 […]
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are in a unique position relative to active shooter threats and other types of workplace violence. As opposed to other types of critical infrastructure such as banks and factories that are tightly locked down under multiple layers of security, hospitals are generally open and accessible to nearly all members of […]
There is no such thing as perfect, airtight security. This is a hard truth that facilities managers have to accept. Any security setup is going to have gaps somewhere. Our job is to minimize those gaps to reduce the odds of a malicious actor slipping through and help keep the facility safe amidst a rising […]
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 […]
Did you know that workplace violence resulted in the death of 524 workers in 2022? This was a 9% increase compared to 2021. Unless urgent measures are taken, workplace violence will persist, and innocent lives will be lost. One effective solution to ensure that workplace violence is reduced is the use of duress systems. This article will […]
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. Companies and government agencies have recently doubled down on return-to-office mandates. In September, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy revealed that employees would have to return to the office five days a week—ending their hybrid policy—starting […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission vacated an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) General Duty Clause citation of a security firm following a mass shooting at a Boise, Idaho, shopping mall. In the February 5 decision, a review commission administrative law judge (ALJ) concluded that the Department of Labor (DOL) didn’t establish the necessary […]
A new report sheds light on gun-related incidents in the United States and explores when, where, and why shootings occur. According to the 2024 Gun Violence Report from ZeroEyes, 90% of gun incidents resulted in injury (60%) or fatalities (30%) last year, illustrating the critical nature of the gun violence epidemic. The analysis extends beyond […]
In a recent school pilot, a robot patrolled Santa Fe High School around the clock to survey the sprawling campus for potential threats and send messages to authorities—even enabling a remote security team to question an intruder. Robots on school grounds are only one of many ways that American schools can keep students, staff, and […]