Safety & Health - FMLink https://www.fmlink.com/news-category/safety-health/ Sat, 14 Jun 2025 00:55:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://www.fmlink.com/content/uploads/2025/06/cropped-fmlink-favicon-32x32.png Safety & Health - FMLink https://www.fmlink.com/news-category/safety-health/ 32 32 Survey of six countries reveals the open office falls short for today’s workforce https://www.fmlink.com/survey-of-six-countries-reveals-the-open-office-falls-short-for-todays-workforce/ Mon, 09 Jun 2025 19:55:40 +0000 https://www.fmlink.com/?post_type=news&p=49253 June 9, 2025 — The fully open plan office, once hailed as the future of collaborative work, is no longer fit for purpose in the hybrid, post-pandemic workplace, according to...

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June 9, 2025 — The fully open plan office, once hailed as the future of collaborative work, is no longer fit for purpose in the hybrid, post-pandemic workplace, according to a new report from Crown Workspace, which surveyed 1,250 office workers and facilities decision-makers across the UK, U.S.,Singapore, India, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

large room with big windows and conference table
Conference room image courtesy of Crown Workspace

The report, commissioned by Crown Workspace, an expert in everything from office removal to workspace refresh, and full refurbishment, reveals a growing disconnect between the design of today’s offices and the evolving needs of their occupants.

Office attendance: preference vs reality

A staggering 91% of employees say they would return to the office more often if the space better supported their needs, highlighting a clear opportunity for businesses to reimagine their work environments. Yet there’s a noticeable disconnect between attendance and employee preferences: while 59% currently work in the office full-time, only 41% say they actually prefer to. Nearly half (47%) favor a hybrid model, reflecting the growing demand for greater flexibility.

Despite this shift, the office still holds value. A full 45% of employees report feeling more productive in the office compared to just 25% at home.

How environment and design are impacting productivity

publication image with orange triangle and 2 women talking
Report image courtesy of Crown Workspace

Open-plan office spaces may have once been seen as a solution for collaboration, but the reality is they often fall short, especially when it comes to supporting creativity and productivity. Three quarters (75%) of employees say that the furniture, layout and flexibility of their office space have a significant impact on their well-being and performance, yet fewer than one in four (24%) feel their current setup actually supports those outcomes. The message is clear: employees want spaces that work with, not against, how they focus and create.

Quiet zones and personalized workspace are high on the wish-list — 67% say access to quiet areas is essential, while 77% value having a dedicated workspace. A further 70% believe having a designated desk with a personalized setup (rather than hot-desking) is critical to a positive office experience. For businesses looking to boost productivity, creativity and a meaningful return to the office, designing workspaces that prioritize focus, ownership, and comfort is essential.

While the survey shows collaborative, open spaces can be positive for offices, it also suggests companies and organizations have neglected the role of quiet spaces for some time.

The role of technology

Employees may be less productive at home simply because they don’t have access to the same equipment they use in the office. Notably, more than a third of employees (36%) only have access to a second monitor at work, highlighting the workplace’s advantage in providing specialized tech resources. Similarly, 40% of employees say they only have access to a printer in the office, compared to just 5% who have access to one exclusively at home — further reinforcing the gap in essential tools between remote and in-office setups.

Other tools, such as industry-specific equipment, are also largely office-based — 58% of employees report having access to these only in the office, compared to just 4% who have access to them exclusively at home.

The future — flexible, focused, and fit for purpose

Looking ahead, 76% of facilities managers say they expect to create more interactive and engaging office environments within the next three years. Many are also evolving how they use space — storing desk equipment, furniture, and safety supplies off-site to make room for new layouts that better suit hybrid and collaborative workstyles.

Interestingly, 48% of facilities managers expect to downsize their office during the same period. This trend may be driven by evolving workplace dynamics in the wake of the pandemic. As Phil Oram, UKI regional director at Crown Workspace, explains:

Since the pandemic, the physical space that an office occupies has come under greater scrutiny. With fewer people in the office, it’s more important than ever to design Workspace around the needs of the workforce. At the same time, organizations must plan for a more sustainable future, aligning with global sustainability goals. As offices downsize, equipment doesn’t need to be discarded — there are real opportunities to upcycle and recycle, giving these items a second life.

The verdict? Reimagine or retire the open office

Commenting on the findings from the report, Oram continued:

Our research shows that the modern workforce wants more from their office environments. Employees are looking for spaces that support both wellbeing and performance. Despite decades of popularity, the fully open office consistently falls short—failing to provide the quiet and personalized spaces people need to thrive. The future of the successful office will need to be flexible, functional, and above all, designed with people in mind. It’s time for employers to rethink their approach and take decisive steps to create Workspace that truly support their people—because when employees thrive, businesses do too.

The report, Is It Time to Kill the Open Office, for Good? (PDF), is available from Crown Workspace.

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Revised ANSI/BIFMA Furniture Sustainability Standard streamlines requirements and aligns with key sustainability frameworks https://www.fmlink.com/revised-ansi-bifma-furniture-sustainability-standard-streamlines-requirements-and-aligns-with-key-sustainability-frameworks/ Tue, 13 May 2025 13:17:10 +0000 https://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/?post_type=news&p=42524 May 13, 2025 – The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) has just announced that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the revised ANSI/BIFMA e3-2024 Furniture Sustainability...

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May 13, 2025 – The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) has just announced that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the revised ANSI/BIFMA e3-2024 Furniture Sustainability Standard. This landmark revision, which received unanimous support from the final ANSI ballot, marks a major advancement in sustainability for the furniture industry.

Over the past three years, the BIFMA e3 Subcommittee — comprising a diverse group of BIFMA members, government agencies, architects, designers, and other industry stakeholders — collaboratively reimagined the standard. The rigorous revision process began with a pilot review and continued through two cycles of association ballots followed by two ANSI ballots. Each phase generated invaluable feedback that helped shape a more transparent, accessible and performance-driven standard.

Key guiding principles during the revision included:

  • Simplification of the standard: Streamlining requirements for clarity and ease of implementation
  • Establishment of minimum requirements per tier: Transitioning from a credit-based system to clearly defined minimum standards for each performance level
  • Alignment with key partners: Maintaining strong consistency with foundational sustainability frameworks such as LEED, WELL and ILFI

As a result, the updated standard introduces several significant enhancements:

  • LEVEL 4 achievement: Establishing a new milestone for industry excellence and innovation
  • Climate-positive criteria: Pushing the envelope of sustainability by advancing beyond neutrality
  • Chemical optimization: Implementing a class-based approach that sets stringent criteria for chemical management

The revised framework builds successively from foundational policies and inventories (Level 1) through assessments and, ultimately, optimization, culminating in the industry-leading benchmarks set by Level 4.

Mendy Claridge, e3 Subcommittee Chair and Director Program Management and Transformation at Kimball International, stated:

This revision represents a bold step forward for sustainable furniture design and manufacturing. By streamlining the requirements and integrating progressive criteria, this allows the industry to meet market sustainability demands while aligning with complementary standards globally.

BIFMA extends its sincere thanks to every individual and organization that contributed insights throughout this review process, saying that their collaboration ensured the development of a standard that not only meets current environmental challenges but also sets a visionary roadmap for the future of sustainable furniture design.

To access the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2024 Furniture Sustainability Standard and additional BIFMA standards, visit BIFMA.

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Marberry: And now for a little healthcare humor amidst the chaos https://www.fmlink.com/marberry-and-now-for-a-little-healthcare-humor-amidst-the-chaos/ Sun, 11 May 2025 01:32:26 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/marberry-and-now-for-a-little-healthcare-humor-amidst-the-chaos/ Amidst the current chaos, Sara Marberry provides a distraction with the best -- and only -- healthcare design joke she knows

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Photo: ID 118951860 | Humor © Oleg Dudko | Dreamstime, courtesy of Sara Marberry’s Blog

By Sara Marberry  — Since the current U.S. president took office in January, chaos has reigned. The administration’s push for deregulation and new financial incentives could ease some red tape and open up funding opportunities. But then there’s the fine print: labor shortages, tariffs on materials, slashed federal grants, and policy pivots that make long-term planning difficult.

For those of you in planning, designing, and constructing healthcare facilities and senior living communities, this new policy landscape probably feels like a rollercoaster ride.

Anxiety is high. Uncertainty is real. And many of us are asking: When will the chaos subside?

Likely not anytime soon. And there’s not a lot we can do about it.

So, to provide a little distraction and make you laugh, here’s the best healthcare design joke I know. In fact, its the only healthcare design joke I know.

I’ve shared it before, but it’s still funny.

Doctors were asked to contribute to the planning and design of a new medical center. Their responses?
  • The allergists voted to scratch it.
  • The dermatologists preferred no rash moves.
  • The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it.
  • The neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve.
  • The obstetricians were laboring under a misconception.
  • The ophthalmologists thought it was short-sighted.
  • The orthopedists issued a joint resolution.
  • The pathologists said, “Over my dead body!
  • The pediatricians said, “Grow up.
  • The proctologists said, “We are in arrears.
  • The psychiatrists thought it was madness.
  • The surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.
  • The radiologists could see right through it.
  • The internists said it was a hard pill to swallow.
  • The plastic surgeons thought it put a whole new face on the matter.
  • The podiatrists called it a big step forward.
  • The urologists warned it wouldn’t hold water.
  • The emergency physicians said it needed resuscitation.
  • And the cardiologists? They just didn’t have the heart to say no.

Laughter really is the best medicine, right? If you know another healthcare design joke, please share it in the comment box below!

See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.

This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on April 18, 2025. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.

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AHA applauds introduction of federal Save Healthcare Workers Act, urges Congress to pass into law https://www.fmlink.com/aha-applauds-introduction-of-federal-save-healthcare-workers-act-urges-congress-to-pass-into-law/ Sat, 10 May 2025 23:49:41 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/aha-applauds-introduction-of-federal-save-healthcare-workers-act-urges-congress-to-pass-into-law/ May 10, 2025 — Every day, healthcare workers bravely serve our communities, providing lifesaving care often under stressful circumstances. It is unacceptable that these dedicated caregivers regularly face the threat...

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May 10, 2025 — Every day, healthcare workers bravely serve our communities, providing lifesaving care often under stressful circumstances. It is unacceptable that these dedicated caregivers regularly face the threat of violence while working to help patients heal, says the American Hospital Association (AHA).

Ensuring a safe working environment for health care providers must be a national priority. Acts of violence not only jeopardize the physical and psychological health of victims, but they also disrupt patient care and contribute to staff burnout and workforce shortages. Protecting the health care workforce is important for their safety and for the overall quality of care. 

That’s why AHA is grateful to Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith and Angus King and Representatives Madeleine Dean and Mariannette Miller-Meeks for their leadership in introducing the Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178/S.1600). This bipartisan legislation would make it a federal crime to assault a hospital staff member on the job. Over the years, hospitals and health systems have implemented numerous protocols to stem workplace violence, but they need help.

By enacting federal protections, Congress can create a powerful deterrent against workplace violence in hospitals and increase penalties for those who harm our caregivers. AHA urges Congress to support this legislation and stands ready to work with them to ensure it becomes law without delay.

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Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) healthcare design study guides are now updated and interactive https://www.fmlink.com/evidence-based-design-accreditation-and-certification-edac-healthcare-design-study-guides-are-now-updated-and-interactive/ Fri, 09 May 2025 18:06:30 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/evidence-based-design-accreditation-and-certification-edac-healthcare-design-study-guides-are-now-updated-and-interactive/ May 9, 2025 — The Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) Study Guides published by The Center for Health Design are now available on the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) website....

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May 9, 2025 — The Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) Study Guides published by The Center for Health Design are now available on the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) website. This collaboration promotes an interactive and user-friendly experience for professionals preparing for the EDAC certification exam.

Image courtesy of FGI

The Center for Health Design’s internationally recognized Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program awards a credential to individuals who demonstrate an understanding of how to apply an evidence-based process to the design and construction of all settings that contribute to health, safety and well-being, including measuring and reporting results.

Having the EDAC certification shows your clients and team members that you have a method for developing design solutions that are rooted in research to help achieve the desired goals and improved outcomes.

The updated digital study guides offer several new features, including:

➡ Highlighting and note-taking — Engage with the material in a more interactive way.

➡ Chapter-based navigation — Easily find content with a structured format replacing the previous single-running PDF.

➡ Improved accessibility — Zoom up to 400% while maintaining text clarity.

This integration allows design professionals to access essential industry resources in one place, helping them create safer, more effective healthcare environments.

Those purchasing Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) Study Guides via The Center for Health Design website will now be redirected to FGI’s website for purchase and access. Existing users on MADCAD can continue their subscription until its term ends, after which they can transition to FGI’s digital subscription.

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Best of Green Schools Awards honor work to advance safer and more resilient campuses https://www.fmlink.com/best-of-green-schools-awards-honor-work-to-advance-safer-and-more-resilient-campuses/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:59:08 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/best-of-green-schools-awards-honor-work-to-advance-safer-and-more-resilient-campuses/ April 24, 2025 –  The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced the 2025 Best of Green Schools Awards recipients, recognizing top schools, school districts, lawmakers...

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April 24, 2025 –  The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced the 2025 Best of Green Schools Awards recipients, recognizing top schools, school districts, lawmakers and others who work to advance safer and more resilient schools across communities. Among this year’s recipients are the Denver Public Schools, a K-12 school in Colombia, and the sustainability director for the Austin Independent School District.

Beset of Green Schools Awards bannerThe annual recognition was announced at the 2025 Green Schools Conference in Orlando in collaboration with the Green Schools National Network (GSNN). The Green Schools Conference is said to be the only event to unite everyone involved in creating and advocating for green schools. The two-day event provides a platform for the green schools community that inspires and facilitates the movement’s progress.

Anisa Heming, director at the Center for Green Schools, stated:

This year’s Best of Green Schools awardees are individuals and organizations dedicated to improving our schools and creating healthy and resilient learning environments. The awards are an opportunity to spotlight how anyone can make an impact in their community and support students and educators. We are grateful for all those who believe in our mission and join us in achieving it.

Ileana Albareda, executive director at the Green Schools National Network (GSNN), pointed out:

The 2025 Best of Green Schools honorees are proof that sustainability in education is not just a goal, it’s a movement. Their work is transforming schools into healthier, more resilient places for students to learn and thrive. They are part of a growing network of changemakers, and their leadership is inspiring others to take action, push boundaries, and create lasting impact.

CGS publication: School District IAQ Management Plan ToolkitThis year’s Best of Green School winners represent some of the most engaged individuals and organizations in the green schools movement. In 2024, the Center for Green Schools reached over 600 unique individuals from over 350 school districts at its educational events. It published an online School Health Research Library and several new publications and briefings, including individual school health research highlights, a School District Indoor Air Quality Management Plan Toolkit and executive-level briefings on decarbonization and climate resilience planning.

The awards were presented to organizations or individuals that have worked to move green schools forward in eight categories. This year’s recipients are:

K-12 School: Rochester School

  • The campus for Rochester School, in Colombia, was built in 2012 and was designed for sustainability, learning, and health. The school has achieved over 70% energy savings and 40% potable water savings compared to a conventionally-built school of the same size. The campus features a solar aquatic center, intelligent classroom hubs, and other campus features that serve as a living textbook for the curriculum. The school takes pride in graduating students who embody the principles of these innovative systems and contribute to the world’s sustainable future.

 Ambassador: Lauren Click   

  • Lauren Click from Arizona is transforming food waste education in public schools. In 2024, Let’s Go Compost expanded from a single school to 111 public schools, 75% of which are Title I. Under her leadership, the nonprofit provides hands-on composting educational tools that make waste reduction education accessible and impactful for students nationwide.

School System: Denver Public Schools

  • Denver Public Schools has worked on sustainability initiatives since 2009, focusing on environmental protection, economic prosperity, and social development. The DPS Sustainability Team approaches its work with bold action, innovation, and accountability while engaging students and staff in creating a livable future and thriving learning environments.

 Student Leader: Molly and Emma Weber

  • Emma Weber and Molly Weber from Boulder, Colorado, spearheaded a local campaign for climate justice in their school district and later expanded to a statewide movement. They built a network of over 60 students in their school district, won a first-of-its-kind Green New Deal for Schools resolution through their school board, and are currently working with state senators and representatives to pass legislation. Their efforts have focused on implementing sustainable infrastructure, climate curriculum, climate disaster plans, and pathways to green jobs in public schools.

 Business Leader: Texas Disposal Systems 

  • Eco Academy, an education program of Texas Disposal Systems, is designed to help minimize waste in Central Texas schools by educating K-12 students about trash, recycling and composting options on their campuses. The program provides training, curriculum, signage and other educational materials for staff, administrators, and students to make recycling fun and enable real-world application. Each school’s participation is documented, and diversion data is made available.

Policy Maker: U.S. Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott and U.S. Senator Jack Reed 

  • U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) have been steadfast in supporting a federal role that ensures that high-need communities have resources to build and repair healthy, green schools for their students. They introduced the Rebuild America’s Schools Act, which, if passed, would invest $130 billion in school buildings. They have led the way for their colleagues for many years. In 2023, their offices were essential in funding a national clearinghouse for school infrastructure and a grant program to help states serve their school districts better.

  K-12 Educator: Erin Stutzman

  • As an educator in the Boise School District, Erin empowers students through community outreach and project- and place-based learning, helping them use their voices to create meaningful change at local, state, and national levels. In collaboration with Nez Perce youth and tribal elders in Lapwai, Idaho, her students have had the opportunity to learn from Indigenous customs and build partnerships around shared environmental goals. Together, they have secured rooftop solar panels through grant writing, advocated for climate action in schools, and supported the nationally recognized Save Our T-Pack initiative to protect Idaho’s wolves.

School District Champion: Darien Clary

  • Darien Clary, the director of sustainability at Austin Independent School District, has led efforts to integrate sustainability across 130 facilities, serving 73,000 students and 10,000 staff since 2016. Her work has influenced green building practices, renewable energy, and sustainable food systems, earning recognition in the New York Times and Forbes. She has also authored publications on whole-school sustainability.

For more information and links to individual recipients, visit 2025 Best of Green Schools.

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Reinforced rooms at residence halls protect students from tornadoes, severe weather https://www.fmlink.com/reinforced-rooms-residence-halls-protect-students-tornadoes-severe-weather/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:12:28 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/reinforced-rooms-residence-halls-protect-students-tornadoes-severe-weather/ Provided by KWK Architects — In areas of the country where dangerous tornadoes and severe weather occur more frequently, more universities are incorporating reinforced rooms, or storm shelters, in their...

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Provided by KWK Architects In areas of the country where dangerous tornadoes and severe weather occur more frequently, more universities are incorporating reinforced rooms, or storm shelters, in their residence hall designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students.

Yellow and black Tornado Shelter sign
Image courtesy of KWK Architects

These tornado-safe rooms are typically small, above- or below-ground structures made of concrete, masonry or steel that are proven to withstand extreme winds, even those produced by EF-4 or EF-5 tornadoes.

The U.S. averages 1,333 tornadoes per year, with more than half of those occurring between April and June when most universities are still in session. The top five states with the highest number of tornadoes annually include Texas, Kansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Javier Esteban, principal at St. Louis-based KWK Architects, suggests that universities collaborate with their architectural firms to determine a reinforced room design that best accommodates their budgets, structures and student population.

Esteban stated:

Ideally, reinforced rooms should be designed and constructed based on the standards and codes for tornado and hurricane storm shelters developed by the International Code Council (ICC) 500, in partnership with the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA). But that is not always feasible for a variety of reasons.

Many times the restrictions in terms of ventilation, structure, and exit requirements make designing to these codes cost-prohibitive for universities. In those instances, it is still possible to design for student safety via a compromise where some public areas of the residence hall have strengthened or reinforced structures, doors and windows.

Plan for basement-level reinforced rooms at U. of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma residential college storm shelter. Image courtesy of KWK

KWK Architects has designed reinforced rooms for several universities within the country’s “Tornado Alley” where twisters are more common:

  • Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma (Oklahoma averages 68 tornadoes per year).
  • University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T (Missouri experiences an estimated 45 twisters annually).
  • Victor E. Village at Fort Hays State University in Kansas (Kansas reports an average of 96 tornadoes per year).

A reinforced room should be designed to stand up to high winds on its own, independent of the building structure surrounding it, said Esteban.

Esteban continued:

It is critically important to maintain the structure of the reinforced area so that should a building collapse occur, it does not affect the integrity of the reinforced space, and its occupants remain safe.

Plan for reinforced rooms at Missouri S&T
Structural reinforced rooms for storms in University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T. Image courtesy of KWK

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) has outlined the different types of tornado-safe room options available and the materials used to build them:

  1. Cast-in-place concrete — These rooms are assembled on-site using removable forms, rebar and concrete to create the walls and ceilings. The forms can be fitted with liners to create concrete exterior surfaces that look like siding, brick or stone.
  2. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs) — These rooms are created using foam blocks that contain steel reinforcement, fitted together and filled with concrete. The foam is a permanent part of the room and provides insulation to the building. Interior and exterior finish options include drywall, sheet rock or siding.
  3. Concrete masonry — These safe rooms are constructed of individual blocks, set in place with rebar and fully grouted. Two rows of steel at the top of the wall hold the assembly together. There are a variety of texture and finish options available.
  4. Precast concrete — This room is formed off-site and delivered to a building for installation. It can be located virtually anywhere in a new building and is anchored using steel angles and bolts. Precast concrete can be finished in a variety of colors and textures using form liners.
  5. Prefabricated above-ground steel — These prefabricated safe rooms typically cost less than site-built safe rooms. Considerations must be made to ensure that this room is placed on a safe and sturdy foundation.

Esteban also suggests that reinforced room designs incorporate emergency lighting, electrical outlets, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, heating and air-conditioning, and an AED defibrillator.

When not in use during emergencies, residence hall storm shelters can serve as lounges and study areas for students.

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Goodway Technologies shares essential dust collection tips to comply with 2025 NFPA 660 Standard https://www.fmlink.com/goodway-technologies-shares-essential-dust-collection-tips-to-comply-with-2025-nfpa-660-standard/ Sat, 12 Apr 2025 00:59:58 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/goodway-technologies-shares-essential-dust-collection-tips-to-comply-with-2025-nfpa-660-standard/ April 11, 2025 — The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has introduced a new standard, NFPA 660 Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids, that consolidates several prior standards into one...

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April 11, 2025 — The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has introduced a new standard, NFPA 660 Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids, that consolidates several prior standards into one comprehensive, consistent document which applies to a variety of industries. This is intended to simplify compliance, reduce confusion and create a more streamlined approach to managing combustible dust hazards.

The NFPA 660 introduces a risk-based, performance-oriented approach, allowing tailored safety measures based on specific risks. The standard refines Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) requirements within a unified framework, enhancing clarity and removing redundancies. Additionally, it includes industry-specific chapters to address unique risks.

Eric Potorski, industrial vacuum specialist at Goodway Technologies, stated:

Making sure that our customers are purchasing the right equipment to safely address their environment and application has always been a top priority for us. Our robust and detailed consultation helps gather the necessary information to understand the material they are collecting, the environment and the disposal process. This thorough analysis is an effective, safe and necessary standard to be compliant with your DHA.

Goodway Technologiesa leader in industrial cleaning and maintenance solutions, is providing next steps to help businesses comply with NFPA 660:

  • Review the standard: Familiarize yourself with NFPA 660 and understand how it applies to your facility.
  • Conduct a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA): If you haven’t already, perform a DHA to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
  • Update safety procedures: Adjust your safety protocols and training programs to align with the new standard.
  • Invest in proper equipment: Ensure you have the right dust collection, ventilation and housekeeping systems in place.
  • Work with experts: Consulting with combustible dust safety professionals can help streamline compliance and enhance workplace safety.

Potorski continued:

This unified standard helps facilities proactively identify a more consistent approach to hazard management. Our team can provide consultation to help incorporate routine maintenance and find the right solutions for the right applications.

To help reduce potential hazards associated with combustible dust explosions, facilities can also implement the following best practices.

  1. Ensure access to all hidden areas of the facility. Evaluate dust buildup on every horizontal surface, including ductwork, beam and joist surfaces, and areas above suspended ceilings.
  2. Frequently inspect for dust. OSHA inspectors look for accumulations of 1/32 of an inch, which is about the thickness of a standard paper clip. Immediate cleaning is necessary when a layer of that amount covers a surface area equal to 5% of the floor area.
  3. Implement regular cleaning intervals. Develop a plan for timely cleaning, ensuring that work cycle dust is removed concurrently with operations and not allowed to accumulate. Be cautious of dust dispersion during housekeeping.
  4. Relocate dust collectors outside. Dust collectors with a volume greater than 8 cubic feet should be situated on the exterior of buildings to limit risks.
  5. Ensure electrical wiring and equipment are approved for dust hazard conditions. OSHA recommends using proper electrical equipment in hazardous locations to eliminate a common ignition source.
  6. Use certified industrial vacuums for picking up explosive material. In hazardous dust environments, “explosion-proof vacuums” approved for Class II conditions should be used to prevent sparks.
  7. Control ignition sources. Post “No Smoking” signs, control static electricity through bonding and grounding equipment, and provide necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent ignition from static electricity.
  8. Perform regular preventive maintenance on equipment. Faulty equipment is a common cause of ignition.
  9. Train employees to recognize and prevent hazards. Proactively train new employees before they start work and periodically refresh their knowledge. Employees should understand safe work practices, as well as plant programs for dust control and ignition source control. Encourage employees to report unsafe practices and foster a company culture of safety. If fine dust, powders or other flammable materials are used in the facility, consider implementing these tips to enhance preparedness.

While this information can serve as a reference, it is important for plant and facility managers to discuss best practices with their safety officer or maintenance personnel before selecting equipment or implementing safety and preventative maintenance measures.

For more information on Goodway Technologies’ diverse line of industrial vacuums, visit Goodway.

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Marberry: Reducing violence in the healthcare workplace: How design can help https://www.fmlink.com/marberry-reducing-violence-in-the-healthcare-workplace-how-design-can-help/ Fri, 04 Apr 2025 01:36:36 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/marberry-reducing-violence-in-the-healthcare-workplace-how-design-can-help/ By Sara Marberry  — Did you know that 8 out of 10 nurses face violence in the healthcare workplace? Because of this, healthcare workers are more than four times more likely to...

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8 out 0f 10 nurses face violence in the healthcare workplace. Image courtesy of Marberry

By Sara Marberry  — Did you know that 8 out of 10 nurses face violence in the healthcare workplace?

Because of this, healthcare workers are more than four times more likely to be hurt by violence in their workplace — more than all other industries combined. And only 20-60% of violent incidents are actually accounted for.

It’s a shame that those who are dedicated to taking care of others face such behavior from patients. their family members, co-workers, and even angry members of the public. Violent behavior includes things like yelling, grabbing, biting, spitting and throwing stuff.

It’s a huge problem — partly because it’s an accepted part of the job.

What is being done about it?

Gun violence also occurs in the healthcare workplace. This past February, a gunman entered the intensive care unit of UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, PA, and took staff members hostage. A police officer died, and several others, including hospital staff, were injured.

Hospital administrators across the U.S. are implementing a variety of strategies to combat workplace violence and enhance safety for staff, patients and visitors, including:

  • Increased security presence
  • Metal detectors and screening
  • Access control and badging
  • Violence prevention programs and staff training/preparedness
  • Expanding mental and behavioral health resources
  • Improving workplace culture and support systems

Designing to reduce violence in the healthcare workplace

The design of the physical environment also plays a critical role in preventing violence against nurses. Thoughtful design can help decrease stress, improve visibility, limit access to weapons, and provide escape routes when necessary.

Here are eight key ways the design of the physical environment of healthcare can help reduce violence:

  1. Improved visibility and open sight lines that allow staff toe monitor patient behavior and recognize escalating situations before they become violent.
  2. Controlled access and secure entry points to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.
  3. Safe rooms and panic buttons to provide immediate protection for nurses if they need to remove themselves from a dangerous situation.
  4. De-escalation spaces and calming environments to help agitated patients regulate emotions, reducing outbursts.
  5. Ergonomic and safe nurse workstations to allow staff to quickly respond to potential threats.
  6. Weapon-resistant design and safe materials to prevent patients or visitors from using objects in the environment as weapons.
  7. Designated crisis response areas for handling patients with a history of aggression.
  8. Safety training so that staff members know how to use safety design features effectively.

Where do we go from here?

We live in an increasingly violent, angry society — driven by such things as increased stress and mental health issues, breakdown of community and family structures, exposure to violence in media and society, and political and social polarization.

That’s why the problem of violence in the healthcare workplace isn’t going away. But maybe with careful strategies paired with thoughtful design, it can be reduced. What do you think?

See the original article as well as more insights on Sara Marberry’s Blog.

This column originally ran on Sara Marberry’s Blog on March 21, 2025. Marberry is a healthcare design expert with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare and senior living design industry, who has written/edited five books and is a regular contributor to Healthcare Design magazine. Marberry also is a former Executive Vice President of the nonprofit Center for Health Design.

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Coalition calls for employers to go beyond safety compliance, powering positive business outcomes https://www.fmlink.com/safety-coalition-report-calls-for-employers-to-go-beyond-compliance-powering-positive-business-outcomes/ Fri, 28 Mar 2025 22:15:28 +0000 http://v4.fmlink.client.tagonline.com/safety-coalition-report-calls-for-employers-to-go-beyond-compliance-powering-positive-business-outcomes/ March 28, 2025 — The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), known as the world’s oldest professional safety organization, is helping to lead an occupational safety and health coalition committed...

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March 28, 2025 — The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), known as the world’s oldest professional safety organization, is helping to lead an occupational safety and health coalition committed to safeguarding workers in all industries to drive business success.

Intersociety Forum (ISF) logosThe Intersociety Forum (ISF) of two dozen organizations calls for employers to go beyond legal compliance and adopt risk-based safety and health strategies. The coalition released a report that highlights several ways a business model of safety and health can create a strategic advantage that powers positive business outcomes.

ASSP Chief Executive Officer Jennifer McNelly, CAE, stated:

We urge today’s business leaders and policymakers to prioritize environmental, health and safety practices as a foundation of economic growth. When workers are protected from injuries and illnesses, they perform at their best, which fosters productivity, innovation and global competitiveness. Safety strengthens resilience and enables businesses to thrive.

Despite advancements in technology, workplace injury and fatality rates have remained relatively flat for the past decade. In 2023, a worker died on the job every 99 minutes, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In its report, ISF identified three core principles that help ensure workers return home safe and healthy every day. These principles are:

  1. Standards and worker well-being;
  2. Embracing risk and safety management systems; and
  3. Revolutionizing recordkeeping for predictive insights.

McNelly continued:

This guidance that goes beyond compliance can bring life to workplaces across the nation, empowering workers to perform at their peak. There are benefits to reducing operational disruptions and maximizing efficiency through a sustainable workforce. Simply put, safety is good for business. It’s vital that the coalition has achieved meaningful cross-organization collaboration to speak as one voice from the safety industry.

ISF’s full report, Core Principles of Modern Occupational EHS Practice, contains a QR code for organizations to show their support of the core principles. The coalition’s CEOs plan to meet with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) once the new Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health is announced later this year.

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