By Eileen McMorrow — NeoCon, the world’s premier fair for commercial design, is pleased to announce a powerhouse jury for the 2025 Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 35th year, the industry-leading competition features an on-site panel of top architects, designers, facility managers and business media who will conduct an in-depth review of the latest solutions shaping contract environments. Broad in its reach, the program brings together multidisciplinary professionals across workplace, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality sectors to evaluate 40 plus categories — from furnishings and architectural products to surface materials and more. 

With insider knowledge and real-world experience in specification, design strategy and product performance, the 2025 roster includes decision-makers from Aflac, CBRE and Walgreens, and designers from Corgan, Gensler, Marmon Mok and Shepley Bulfinch, to name a few. The distinguished group will judge each entry in-person at THE MART in Chicago on June 6 and 7, before the show opens. Winners will be unveiled during a high-energy ceremony on Monday, June 9, at 7:30 a.m., kicking off the 56th edition of NeoCon.

“Each year, we select a jury with a keen understanding of how products influence the built environment,” remarks Eileen McMorrow, Director of the Best of NeoCon Program. “Their expertise — from both the interior design perspective and the facility manager and end-user experience — is invaluable in recognizing solutions that push the industry forward.”

Uniting returning and first-time jurors with a diverse range of perspectives and project experience, the delegation ensures a well-rounded assessment of every submission. Participants include Suzanne Lefebvre of CannonDesign (Buffalo, NY), Annie Portner of Gensler (Philadelphia), Brad Robichaux of HKS (Dallas), and Robin Turansky of TVS (Atlanta), alongside seasoned facility managers Lelitha Williams of Aflac (Columbus, GA), Kathryn Feddor of CBRE (Chicago), and Jennifer Leighty of Walgreens (Kenosha, WI). The full list of jurors can be found on the Best of NeoCon website.

Regarding the critical role the Best of NeoCon jury plays in recognizing standout innovations, Lelitha Williams, Supervisor, Office Design & Planning at Aflac, says, “We carefully assess each product’s potential impact on real-world applications, validating that award recipients represent the best solutions for today’s built environments and reinforce the integrity and prestige that have made these awards so respected.”

Jurors will engage in an immersive evaluation of every Best of NeoCon entry — allowing for careful deliberation, meaningful dialogue with manufacturers, and product testing. This face-to-face exchange, paired with the jury’s thorough onsite assessment, upholds the Best of NeoCon program’s reputation as the most trusted industry benchmark for design excellence.

“One of the highlights for me is meeting with the product designers and learning about their process, seeing firsthand how their vision comes to life,” notes returning juror Suzanne Lefebvre, Interior Design Leader at CannonDesign. “I value the opportunity to dive deeper into emerging trends and technologies, particularly in how they affect student and staff experiences in the academic and workplace settings.”

Awards are given for Gold, Silver, Innovation and Sustainability, and the singular Best of Competition honor. The Business Impact Awards will also return, recognizing products that drive organizational performance through smarter workflows, cost savings, space optimization and other strategic outcomes. Business Impact finalists will advance to a second round of on-site review by a panel of business journalists from Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek, Vogue Business and Morning Brew, among other notable publications.

This year, NeoCon attendees will also be able to weigh in on innovations through the inaugural People’s Choice Awards. This peer-to-peer recognition allows industry professionals to vote for their favorite Best of NeoCon-winning products via QR codes displayed in award recipients’ booths and showrooms throughout THE MART, during the show. The winners will be revealed on Wednesday, June 11.

Submission rules, deadlines and entry fees

NeoCon exhibitors are encouraged to submit entries through the Best of NeoCon online portal. Eligible products must have entered the U.S. market since June 2024 and be on display at NeoCon 2025. Products previously entered in Best of NeoCon 2024 are ineligible. Entrants must be NeoCon 2025 exhibitors. The final submission deadline is May 20th at $1,100 per entry and the Business Impact Award opt-in fee is $250 per entry.

More details on the program and entry process can be found at Best of NeoCon.

NeoCon 2025 is open to trade, C-suite executives, and other industry-related professionals, and registration is free for all attendees. Register here. 

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Texas and California lead the rankings, with Dallas taking the top spot, followed by Houston (#2), Los Angeles (#3), and San Francisco (#5). Atlanta secured the #4 position, completing the top five cities. Other notable cities on the list include Honolulu, New York, and Tampa, emphasizing the widespread nature of pest issues across diverse regions.

Marc Potzler, Board Certified Entomologist and Technical Service Manager for Terminix, explained:

Pest pressures in commercial spaces can vary by region, season, and industry, but they all have one thing in common: if left unaddressed, pests can harm employee health, disrupt daily operations, and damage reputations. This annual ranking aims to raise awareness around the importance of year-round pest management to protect businesses of all types.

Top 10 Pest Cities for Businesses in 2025:

1. Dallas
2. Houston
3. Los Angeles
4. Atlanta
5. San Francisco
6. Honolulu
7. New York
8. Tampa, FL
9. Columbus, Ohio
10. Miami

Businesses and organizations in America’s buggiest cities face unique challenges in managing pest infestations, which can disrupt operations, harm reputations, and pose health risks. According to the report, industries such as restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, warehouses, and healthcare facilities are particularly vulnerable due to factors such as food availability, high foot traffic, and storage conditions:

1. Restaurants: Food availability attracts pests like rodents and cockroaches, making these establishments prime targets for infestations.
2. Food retail: With a constant supply of food products and potential spills, grocery stores create an inviting environment for pests.
3. Hotels: High foot traffic and varying cleanliness standards can lead to pest issues, particularly bed bugs and cockroaches.
4. Warehouses: Often storing food or products, warehouses can provide plenty of hiding spots for pests, making inspections crucial.
5. Hospitals and healthcare facilities: The combination of food and waste, along with high foot traffic, makes healthcare facilities and hospitals vulnerable to pests.

Recognizing these risks empowers business and institutional owners and managers to take proactive steps to protect their properties and customers.

Terminix’s latest report highlights how pest control is a crucial consideration for businesses from coast to coast. Regardless of size or industry, all companies can benefit from an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan tailored to the business’s unique needs. Unlike traditional methods that rely on chemical treatments, IPM integrates various approaches to minimize environmental impacts and enhance long-term effectiveness.

For more information about how to protect your business, organization or institution from pests, visit Terminix.

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The Recommendations help to identify thousands of products and services across 35 categories that conserve energy or water, include more recycled content, or reduce the use of PFAS and single-use plastics. By helping federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services, the Recommendations can save taxpayers money, reduce climate impacts, and prevent pollution.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability direct federal agencies to maximize the procurement of sustainable products and services and to prioritize products and services that meet EPA’s Recommendations.

The update proposes adding 14 standards and ecolabels to the Recommendations across three new product categories, covering healthcare, laboratories, and clothing and uniforms, and expanding the existing food service ware sub-category.

Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, remarked:

With hundreds of ecolabels in the marketplace, EPA’s Recommendations cut through the clutter and give federal purchasers and other sustainability-conscious consumers confidence when making purchasing decisions. The ecolabels and standards that EPA includes in the Recommendations have demonstrated that they can truly help us achieve sustainability at scale. Updating the Recommendations ensures the power of federal procurement, which accounted for more than $700 billion in annual spending last year alone, continues to advance the federal government’s effort to purchase products and services that are sustainable and climate friendly.

If finalized, the updates to the Recommendations would give federal purchasers and other buyers new guidance and options for purchasing sustainable products and services in four categories, which EPA proposes to divide into nine sub-categories, including by expanding the existing sub-category for food service ware. The Recommendations currently include only one recommended ecolabel in the food service ware sub-category, which covers compostable products. If finalized, the updated Recommendations would include three additional standards and ecolabels for food service ware, covering products that are reusable, certified compostable, and certified recyclable. EPA is also providing a new resource that outlines current best practices for the procurement of food service ware sub-categories, which is available on EPA’s website.

EPA assessed the environmental sustainability of the third-party standards and ecolabels under the Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels, and also assessed for a third-party certification program to verify product conformance.

In April 2022, EPA announced stronger eligibility criteria for including standards and ecolabels in the Recommendations, which require each standard and ecolabel to have a competent third-party verification program and a current directory of qualifying products and services. EPA is proposing to remove seven standards or ecolabels because they do not meet these new requirements, are discontinued, or are no longer required by regulation.

EPA will accept public comments on the proposed updates to the Recommendations for 30 days after publication (until October 15) via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0835 at Regulations. EPA will use feedback it receives from public comments to inform the final updates to the Recommendations.

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The solar power provided by the rooftop setup will offset nearly half of the Surf & Sand’s annual energy usage and provide substantial savings on utility bills. According to the announcement, by reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint by 50%, the solar project is reducing emissions equivalent to:

• 37 gas-powered vehicles driven for one year
• 18,740 gallons of gasoline
• 186,551 pounds of coal burned
• 21 homes’ energy use for one year
• 20,258,413 smartphones charged

The Surf & Sand solar project represents a significant milestone in creating a clean energy future on the Gulf Coast and a major step toward accomplishing Innisfree Hotels’ sustainability goals. The use of solar energy increases the Surf & Sand’s rating for the Green Key Global sustainable hospitality program in which all 27 of Innisfree’s properties participate.

In addition, the partnership between Innisfree and SunFarm Energy extends beyond the Surf & Sand project. The companies are collaborating on the launch of an Employee Solar Program to further Innisfree’s ESG initiatives, and SunFarm Energy has made a donation to The Hive, Innisfree’s philanthropic arm in Pensacola and other local communities.

Bethanne Edwards, director of Sustainability at Innisfree Hotels, said:

By transitioning away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy, this project is reducing carbon emissions, contributing to improved air quality, and demonstrating that Innisfree is a leader in sustainability. What’s more, the solar project helps us deliver on our Triple Bottom Line commitment where success is determined by how well we protect the planet while serving people and communities.

The Surf & Sand Hotel is located at 40 Fort Pickens Road in Pensacola Beach. For more information, visit Surf & Sand Hotel Pensacola Beach.

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This is particularly true for areas that have different types of surfaces and are difficult to disinfect. Regular and comprehensive disinfection using an electrostatic spray can reduce the spread of pathogens and other infections. More office buildings, hospitals, warehouses and factories among others are willing to switch to this revolutionary new technology for cleaning.

This white paper focuses on the needs of commercial building owners, facility managers and employers who want to learn about the right way to keep commercial facilities disinfected and germ-free, the different cleaning needs of different types of properties, and the role played by professional janitorial, cleaning and facility maintenance companies specializing in commercial building maintenance.

How does a professional janitorial cleaning company keep your space germ-free?

Professional janitorial contractors specialize in removing all types of contaminants and impurities from a workplace. Trained cleaners ensure that there is nothing infectious left behind once they are done removing dust, dirt, and daily clutter. High-performance cleaning substances used by commercial cleaners create an antiseptic environment. Harmful pathogens are unable to thrive or survive in this environment.

A neat and organized workspace can be difficult to maintain by an in-house cleaning crew. Cleaning tasks may spill over on your employees or other building occupants, thereby reducing productivity. Cleaning contractors with solid expertise can deal with monthly, daily, and weekly sanitation tasks and help save time. You can leave facility sterilization to the professionals and focus on other important aspects.

It is more work than meets the eye to keep an office clean. Professional cleaning contractors are highly proficient in dusting, sweeping, mopping, cleaning, and disinfecting the premises. It is recommended to have highly skilled workers provide sanitizing solutions since an untrained eye would likely miss them.

Premium cleanliness and disinfection are the top reasons for hiring a commercial cleaning service. Your commercial facility will have access to high-standard disinfection solutions for different electronic devices to prevent cross-contamination. In addition, the contractors will take extra care to remove any bacteria or viruses that are present on the carpets, walls, chairs, and any other fixtures.

How to maintain clean and hygienic common areas

These are key areas of focus for commercial janitorial companies to ensure that all common areas are kept clean and germ-free in your facility:

Building entryways

The building entryway is the first space any visitor notices, whether they are a potential or current client. You need to keep your entryway looking great. This requires polishing, vacuuming, dusting, and emptying the trash. You may want to have the entryways and lobbies cleaned and disinfected multiple times during the day if they get a lot of traffic. Don’t forget to have the bathrooms cleaned regularly, particularly the ones in the waiting areas.

Elevators

You should have all hard surfaces inside the elevator disinfected, such as the handles, buttons, walls, mirrors, and doors. Electrostatic cleaning is a poignant way of keeping the area germ-free without damaging the electronics. A quick polishing and vacuuming may be necessary, too, during the day if the elevator gets a lot of visitors.

Doors, windows, and mirrors

These surfaces become grimy multiple times during a day. Day porters can be tasked with walking around and polishing any mirrors that appear smudged or touched. You should do the same with windows outside of offices and within doors. Commercial contractors will take care of window ledges too for a nice, clean look.

Conference rooms and offices

Conference rooms and offices will need to be polished, dusted and vacuumed to keep them looking ready for business. Commercial cleaners can be asked to wipe desk spaces, open tables, phones, door handles, chairs, and other office equipment multiple times a day. They will pick up trash and supplies left behind.

Restrooms

Office restrooms require daily attention. Restrooms on busy floors and lobby get a lot of use. Regular cleaning is essential in these. You can stay on top of disinfection and sanitization with commercial cleaners to prevent the spread of germs. You may want to ask the cleaners to empty waste bins frequently to prevent trash from spilling over. Floors should be picked up and mopped regularly to ensure the space appears fresh and orderly.

Break room

There is a wide array of furniture and appliances in break rooms. Spills and crumbs need to be wiped often for preventing a pest infestation. You should have the dishes washed multiple times during the day or at the end of the day to prevent a mess. Having a commercial cleaner take care of these chores will ensure that your workforce can focus on increasing productivity.

Regular HVAC maintenance can reduce germs

Commercial duct and HVAC cleaning can improve your business and help you reduce energy consumption. Improved indoor air quality can reduce the number of sick days by removing debris, dust, and dirt from the system. The first step in removing airborne contaminants and other allergens is to keep the ductwork clean.

Professional building maintenance providers can take care of these tasks and others in an affordable and cost-efficient manner. The cleaners will clean the entryway of the ducting system, all the way to the area where the air exits. This includes all registers, grills and vents. Commercial duct cleaning plays a major role in improving airflow. It allows the facility’s HVAC system to run in an efficient manner and reduce the risk of fire.

This is particularly true in the case of manufacturing facilities where airborne dust can be combustible. Buildup of 0.42″ of dirt on the condenser or evaporator coil can decrease efficiency of an HVAC system by 21% as per the EPA. Dirty ductwork can clog filters more frequently, which causes more stress on the air handler. This can potentially lead to higher energy costs. Not to mention, such conditions may also shorten the lifespan of your HVAC unit.

Airflow can get restricted because of blockages in reheat coils, VAV boxes, mixing boxes, and other terminal boxes found in HVAC systems. Professional cleaning can improve the airflow and make the air you breathe clean and fresh. Ductwork is usually out of sight in commercial buildings. Your in-house crew may not be able to clean it.

Dirty ductwork is the perfect environment for mold, bacteria, mites, and viruses. The only way of having these pollutants removed completely is through routine commercial HVAC cleaning. Commercial contractors can make use of electrostatic spraying equipment for disinfecting the ductwork, too.

Janitorial requirements of different types of commercial buildings

Facility managers and building owners hire commercial facility cleaning experts because they know the importance of keeping a space clean and germ-free. The same type of cleaning method cannot be used for different commercial facilities. This is a general outline of the unique cleaning demands made by different facilities.

Office buildings

Office buildings should be cleaned regularly and frequently if you want to increase productivity and reduce sick days. Daily cleaning tasks include picking up debris, emptying trash, vacuuming floors, removing stains, organizing loose papers, and cleaning the reception areas besides the washrooms.

Hotel rooms

Good housekeeping is vital in the hospitality sector if you hope to attract new customers. Commercial cleaners can be trained to help the in-house housekeeping staff with more detailed chores. In the post-Covid times, all hotels have a greater responsibility to disinfect their bedding and other spaces.

Restaurants and cafes

The risk of cross-contamination is increased in unclean cafés and restaurants. This can result in the spread of food-borne illnesses. You may have to close shop if you are unable to clean and sanitize all counters and surfaces. Cafes also require sanitizing of built-in refrigerators and freezers. Bars and nightclubs have unique cleaning needs where all surfaces and counters must be cleaned before and after the end of the day.

Sports facilities

Sports facilities need to be kept clean to protect the health of athletes and anyone else using it. Commercial cleaners experienced in maintaining sports facilities, such as swimming pools and gyms know the right cleaning solutions to use. These chemicals may not be available locally. You can make sanitation sprays, wipes, and disinfectants mandatory. Based on this, you would still require a janitor to constantly disinfect surfaces and equipment for preventing cross-contamination.

Shopping malls and retail facilities

Shopping malls can have a daily footfall in the thousands. It’s crucial to have a commercial contractor take care of the cleaning and other hygiene standards. Clean and germ-free malls allow shoppers and other visitors to have a good shopping experience. Retail store owners need to maintain an image. Commercial cleaning can help present a clean and tidy store that may leave a sunny impression on the shoppers.

Hospitals, nursing homes and medical centers

Healthcare facilities have sick people traipsing in throughout the day. It can be difficult for an in-house cleaning staff to stay on top of dirty floors and germ-ridden environment. Commercial cleaning contractors are well trained in following the proper cleaning protocols and disposing of waste.

Electrostatic disinfection

Viruses and bacteria, among other harmful pathogens, can survive on different surfaces for days. In the right conditions, these germs can potentially double in population. The largest problem in any commercial facility is cross-contamination. Traditional cleaning and disinfection can only do so much where cleaning is concerned. These techniques may prove to be effective when it comes to touch points. With that said, they fail in terms of reducing microbiological loads.

Electrostatic disinfection is a significantly more efficient technology for dispensing disinfectants and sanitizers as compared to conventional spray systems. You can ensure that all surfaces are coated evenly without leaving a trace or sticky residue. As per various studies and tests, the process of misting as performed by an electrostatic sprayer is 10 times more effective as compared to traditional spray systems in covering an object.

In addition to this, the efficiency of an electrostatic sprayer doesn’t end at distribution. Conventional cleaning methods routinely miss hard-to-reach spots and places. These can be effectively disinfected through electrostatic spraying. Commercial janitors can access leg joints, cable grommets, and other nooks and crannies.

Get in touch with a trusted commercial maintenance and janitorial services provider

There are several aspects to cleaning a commercial facility. It requires a cleaning and maintenance contractor with the right tools, equipment, and updated industrial knowledge to ensure the space remains clean and germ-free. The team at Servi-Tek is experienced, highly trained, and professional. We can ensure that your facility remains clean, disinfected, and germ-free through advanced cleaning methods, such as electrostatic spraying. Schedule a consultation today by calling (866) 454-6185 or using our online contact form.

About Servi-Tek

Servi-Tek is more than just a company that specializes in commercial cleaning and facilities management services. We are a self-sustaining tribe of passionate, interdependent professionals dedicated to a shared sense of purpose that goes beyond shiny floors and sparkling surfaces.

Our collective desire to innovate and create meaningful results with every client interaction bonds us. Put simply: Our tribe is driven to continuously raise the bar on what property managers can expect from their commercial cleaning and facility maintenance service providers — and we rely on each other every step of the way to do it.

Servi-Tek’s team consists of industry experts that leverage technology and focus their greatest efforts on its people and processes by investing heavily in training programs and constantly looking for opportunities to make improvements. Servi-Tek has experienced rapid growth over the years expanding to over 500 employees, working across multiple states. In 2016, the company formed Servi-Tek Engineering & Facility Solutions.

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by Ned Hill — In 2020, Amazon Logistics (the delivery arm of Amazon) delivered 4.2 billion parcel shipments, up from 1.9 billion in 2019. It now makes up, by volume, 21% of the parcel shipments in the U.S., behind the USPS (38%) and UPS (24%) but ahead of FedEx for the first time (16%). By contrast, in 2014, Amazon delivered just 20 million parcels. Given the strong increase in parcel shipments, it’s clear that there is a trend for in-home deliveries.

Post Covid-I9, there continues to be an increase in-home deliveries — from office supplies and dry cleaning to daily necessities such as groceries. This e-commerce convenience has become a property manager’s nightmare for those managing multifamily communities.

Case-in-point: According to the National Apartment Association, nearly 39 million people in the United States, almost 1 in 8, call apartments home. In addition, young adults ages 18 to 34 are the largest generational demographic group and are delaying homeownership and seeking rentals. These stats are creating a perfect storm of packages, being propelled by a fleet of couriers who now need to contend with a time management decision. Do they take an extra hour per building to hand deliver packages to each resident, or do they dump the packages in the lobby or in front of lockers for the concierge to deal with?

Resident package delivery adds to a concierge’s time to process and secure all these items—while still performing assigned duties. In addition, courier services do not have the time to provide “white-glove” delivery to every resident’s door. Unfortunately, this leaves large amounts of packages left unattended in unsecured lobby areas, which promotes the opportunity for theft. According to Swiftlane:

• 20% of tenants aren’t happy with the way their packages are handled by their property.
• 84% of tenants would like secure, self-serve, 24/7 package access.

When couriers and concierges collide

When a delivery person enters the lobby with a cart full of packages, immediately the doorman is asked to be in two places at once, e.g., storing packages in a back room and attending the door. Multiply the time a doorman allocates for one courier times multiple couriers per day, and the hours consumed by package management quickly add up. This is becoming a widely recognized problem among property managers.

Property managers are now turning to smart package room solutions instead of adding costs by increasing staff. This decision also helps couriers because they are not willing and, in many cases, unable to extend their delivery hours to accommodate a greater number of residential package deliveries. In addition, these solutions remove the couriers’ responsibility for packages left because they are instantly logged into the multifamily housing’s management system. Simply put, smart package room solutions simplify the process by automating the package delivery and reducing the processing time to 10 seconds instead of 30 minutes to perform door-to-door delivery.

Some managers have considered package lockers as a means to this conundrum but figuring out the right formula for lockers needed in apartment buildings is often flawed. As a rule of thumb, it’s 1.75 lockers multiplied by the number of packages delivered per day. However, this does not account for seasonality or that deliveries are increasing every day. Unfortunately, the overflow or packages that don’t fit into lockers is given to the concierge by the courier, leaving the courier/concierge issues unresolved.

A smarter package room solution

What is the best way to address the courier and property manager package issues? More multifamily owners are turning to the latest smart technology to handle package management growth and moving away from traditional locker systems that can’t scale for the future.

Smart package rooms eliminate the concierge interaction to manage items. In addition, couriers simply scan package labels at the entry kiosk to automatically assign packages and notify applicable residents immediately of the package’s arrival. Computer vision technology watches each package until residents scan their QR Codes, received via text or email, at the smart kiosk showing package location within the package room. Using laser guidance, the system provides visual and audio prompts to ensure the correct item is picked up or sound notification if the wrong package is selected.

Scanning package labels in a smart package room complement a courier’s daily requirements to digitally track items being delivered — if they can work a cell phone, they can use these systems. It’s the missing link in the courier logistics chain for last-mile apartment drop-off confirmation. Now instead of promoting lobby clutter or inefficient use of a concierge’s and courier’s time going floor to floor and door to door, a simple label scan unlocks an automated and secure method to protect tenants’ packages while also giving them the option to retrieve at their convenience, e.g., no more reminder calls from the concierge.

Conclusion

Lifestyle changes have altered how commerce is performed, and multifamily communities need to recognize this as an opportunity to improve package delivery and resident experiences. A lack of appropriate space and ineffective delivery systems are no longer acceptable for couriers’ last-mile package processing. Today, the smart package room joins the expected amenities of smart home technology and is the must-have lifestyle convenience. Many property owners recognize this evolution in package management and are now using smart package rooms to attract and retain residents.

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An estimated 22 million workers in the United States face exposure to hazardous noise at work each year. While fewer workers are exposed to noise in industries like Finance and Insurance, and Healthcare and Social Assistance, NIOSH researchers found some of the highest prevalences of hearing protection device non-use among the exposed workers in these industries. Additionally, researchers found female workers, young workers (aged 18-25), and current smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of HPD non-use.

Elizabeth Masterson, PhD, research epidemiologist and study co-author, stated:

Our findings regarding HPD non-use by gender and age group are consistent with previous studies. However, no prior relationship between smoking and HPD non-use has been reported. Our study was the first to find a significant association between current smoking and HPD non-use.

The study looked at 39,508 adult current workers from the 2007 and 2014 National Health Interview Surveys. These surveys asked participants about their hearing protection device use and occupational noise exposure within the past year. Of the workers surveyed, 2,057 reported exposure to occupational noise during the previous 12 months in 2007 and 3,380 in 2014. Overall, between 2007 and 2014, the prevalence of HPD non-use did not change significantly.

Among all workers exposed to noise in 2014, researchers found the majority (53%) did not wear hearing protection consistently. Industries with the highest HPD non-use among noise-exposed workers included Accommodation and Food Services (90%), Health Care and Social Assistance (83%), and Education Services (82%). Additionally, some of the industries where noise is a well-recognized hazard were found to have high prevalences of HPD non-use, including Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting (74%) and Construction (52%).

Dr. Masterson continued:

The prevalence of HPD non-use remains high. Increasing worker awareness and providing training about the importance of proper and consistent use of HPDs can protect workers from the effects of hazardous noise. In addition, we need to overcome barriers to HPD use by ensuring that workers have HPDs that are comfortable and do not overprotect from noise so they can hear speech and other important workplace signals.”

The complete Prevalence of hearing protection device non-use among noise-exposed US workers in 2007 and 2014 is available on the AJIM website.

Visit the NIOSH website for more information about noise and hearing loss prevention research at NIOSH. For industry sector-specific statistics on hearing loss, noise exposure, and other information, please visit the Occupational Hearing Loss Surveillance webpage. NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths.

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Aramark provides concessions operations serving 29 professional sports franchises in five different leagues in addition to over 90 different colleges and universities. This expertise will enhance the service at all University of Arizona sports venues while prioritizing food and beverage quality, efficiency, safety and enjoyment for fans at home events.

University of Arizona Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke stated:

Our athletics department remains focused on providing a first-class experience at all of our venues as we begin to welcome fans back to the stands. This new partnership with Aramark for concessions service will improve this important element of our fan experience and enhance the overall atmosphere for our loyal supporters coming to cheer on the Wildcats in person.

Aramark will expand cashless payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay while increasing the number of points of sale throughout stadiums. Concession locations will also begin to feature food, snacks, beverages, wine and beer in the same locations for expedited service as well as new and improved-quality menu items.

Aramark President and CEO of Sports and Entertainment Alison Birdwell commented:

We are proud to partner with the University of Arizona to enhance its world-class athletics program through gameday experiences that showcase Aramark’s commitment to hospitality and passion for service.

Aramark serves major educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world with award-winning food, facilities and uniform services.

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Covid-19 variants, rising global debt and the possibility of sustained high inflation are the key risks to the economy and commercial real estate over the next 12 months. Still, the global commercial real estate services and investment firm forecasts that the economic momentum from pent up-demand, government stimulus and reopening will eclipse those factors.

CBRE foresees peak growth in gross domestic product (GDP) for the Americas and Asia Pacific (APAC) this year, led by the U.S. at a 7.1% gain and China at 8.2%. Europe is predicted to reach its strongest GDP growth in 2022, which will help to sustain the fast-paced global recovery.

Globally, the industrial & logistics and multifamily sectors already have recovered from the recent downturn, and the recovery for the office, retail and hotel sectors will progress over the next two years, predicts CBRE.

Richard Barkham, CBRE global chief economist and head of Americas Research, remarked:

The global recovery is well underway, but it will take several years for some sectors to approach or return to their precrisis levels. Concerns about inflation likely will cause some market volatility, but we anticipate that central banks won’t need to raise interest rates in the next 12 months. This will support economic growth for the next two years and create a positive environment for commercial real estate.

CBRE’s report provides outlooks and predictions for each major commercial real estate sector, highlighted below.

Capital Markets

The recovery for global real estate investing and lending will gain momentum in this year’s second half and into 2022. CBRE predicts that global investment volume will increase by 23% in 2021. Income returns will remain stable and capital values will return to precrisis levels this year, possibly resulting in higher total returns than in 2019.

Office

Office vacancy rates will rise a little further this year and then decline in 2022. Globally, positive net absorption for office space will return by late 2022, driven by employment growth. Global leasing activity is expected to increase by 10% this year, with activity in the Americas and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) led by life sciences, manufacturing, energy and technology. In APAC (Asia-Pacific), fintech, insurance and tech will lead leasing activity.

Occupiers

In countries with low office occupancy, employees are anticipated to start frequenting the office on a more regular basis in the second half of the year, barring any restrictions brought about by surges in the Delta variant. Sentiment is waning in the Americas for big reductions to office portfolios, while domestic companies in APAC anticipate growth and EMEA mostly expects to hold steady. Demand for flex space will increase.

Industrial & Logistics

This year will be the strongest on record for the sector. Retailers and others will increase their inventories to cushion against major disruptions. More companies will outsource their supply chain operations, which means third-party logistics companies will claim an even larger share of leasing activity.

Retail

The recovery will be uneven, with luxury, discount and services garnering the most spending. Retailers will expand further into programs like click-and-collect and ship-from-store to counter rising costs of last-mile delivery. CBRE expects that new leases will include more detailed clauses allowing retailers more options for reacting to major, unforeseen events.

Multifamily

Multifamily will become the leading global investment asset class in the near future as EMEA and APAC further adopt the multifamily rental model popular in North America. Vacancy rates will decline over the next year, rents will increase, and capitalization rates will decline. CBRE expects that most U.S. markets will exceed precrisis rent levels by the second quarter of 2022.

To download the 2021 Global Midyear Market Outlook report, visit the CBRE website. The Dallas-based company serves clients in more than 100 countries.

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Covid-19 general industry guidance

OSHA is issuing updated guidance to help employers and workers in other industries protect workers who are still not vaccinated, with a special emphasis on other industries noted for prolonged close contacts like meat processing, manufacturing, seafood, and grocery and high-volume retail.

Emergency temporary standard

The emergency temporary standard (ETS) focuses on healthcare workers most likely to have contact with someone infected with the virus.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh stated:

Too many of our frontline healthcare workers continue to be at high risk of contracting the coronavirus. As I said when I came to the department, we must follow the science. This standard follows the science, and will provide increased protections for those whose health is at heightened risk from coronavirus while they provide us with critical healthcare services. Given the pace of vaccinations, this standard, along with the guidance OSHA, the CDC and other agencies have released, will help us protect frontline healthcare workers and end this pandemic once and for all.

The emergency temporary standard establishes new requirements for settings where employees provide healthcare or healthcare support services, including skilled nursing homes and home healthcare, with some exemptions for healthcare providers who screen out patients who may have Covid-19. OSHA will update the standard, if necessary, to align with CDC guidelines and changes in the pandemic.

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jim Frederick remarked:

This standard is necessary to give our healthcare workers deeply needed protections. This tailored standard allows OSHA to help the workers most in danger of contracting the virus, while the updated guidance will give other businesses across the country the information they need to help protect unvaccinated workers and continue mitigating spread in the workplace.

The healthcare emergency temporary standard is aimed at protecting workers facing the highest coronavirus hazards — those working in health care settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated. This includes employees in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities; emergency responders; home healthcare workers; and employees in ambulatory care settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated.

The standard will require non-exempt facilities to conduct a hazard assessment and have a written plan to mitigate virus spread, and requires healthcare employers to provide some employees with N95 respirators or other personal protective equipment. In addition, covered employers must ensure 6 feet of distance between workers. In situations where this is not possible, employers should erect barriers between employees where feasible.

The standard also requires covered employees to provide workers with paid time off to get vaccinated and to recover from any side effects. Covered employees who have coronavirus or who may be contagious must work remotely or otherwise be separated from other workers if possible, or be given paid time off up to $1400 per week. For most businesses with fewer than 500 employees, tax credits in the American Rescue Plan may be reimbursed through these provisions.

The ETS exempts fully vaccinated workers from masking, distancing and barrier requirements when in well-defined areas where there is no reasonable expectation that any person will be present with suspected or confirmed coronavirus.

The ETS was effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register on June 21, 2021. Employers were required to comply with most provisions by July 6, 2021, and with training, ventilation, and barrier provisions by July 21, 2021. OSHA will use its enforcement discretion to avoid citing employers who miss a compliance deadline but are making a good faith effort to comply with the ETS. OSHA will continue to monitor trends in coronavirus transmission.

Compliance directive for enforcing emergency temporary standard

OSHA subsequently issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniform inspection and enforcement procedures for its emergency temporary standard to protect healthcare workers from occupational exposures to COVID-19.

The new directive provides OSHA compliance safety and health officers with guidance and procedures on how to enforce the standard’s requirements for:

• Written COVID-19 plan
• Patient/Non-employee screening and management
• Personal protective equipment
• Aerosol-generating procedures
• Physical distancing
• Physical barriers
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Ventilation
• Employee health screening and medical management
• Vaccination
• Training
• Anti-retaliation
• Requirements at no cost
• Recordkeeping
• Reporting to OSHA

Comment period extension for ETS

On July 8, OSHA announced that it will publish a notice in the Federal Register to extend the comment period for the Covid-19 healthcare emergency temporary standard (ETS) to August 20, 2021. OSHA is extending the comment period by 30 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment.

Comments can be submitted electronically for Docket No. OSHA-2020-0004 via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for making electronic submissions.

More information about the Covid-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard is available on the OSHA website.

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