It may seem like a strange time to be writing about heat and high temperatures as we just experienced some record snowfalls and low temperatures, but time flies and we need to be preparing for the summer. For several years, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has been working on standards for safe workplace…
According to the Department of Transportation, nearly 70% of the US roads are in areas that receive 5 inches of snow or more annually. This requires most of us to adjust our driving during the winter months to avoid being involved in an accident. Around 1,300 people are killed and over 100,000 injured each year…
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas. It is a product of incomplete combustion. CO can be produced at toxic levels by carbon fuel burning appliances such as wood burning stoves, furnaces and internal combustion engines. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, there is an uptick in non-fire related CO deaths. …
The concept behind the term “pandemic” has evolved over the centuries to describe philosophical, social, and medical issues which had 2 common characteristics: it affected human beings and was a widespread phenomena.1 This generation will always remember the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on family, friends and the impact to daily life. According to…
Winter weather presents unique risks and exposures. These include both injuries to employees, guests and the public as well as damage to property. Injuries to people from winter weather include hypothermia and slips and falls. For workers outside, make sure that they are properly dressed including winter coats, gloves and boots. Limited exposure to below…
Each year the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) publishes a report on crime in America. On September 24, 2024, the 2023 data was released. This corresponds to the Crime Prevention month awareness programs that many communities recognize. In 1984, October was designated as Crime Prevention month by Presidential Proclamation. The good news is that there…
Over the last several years there has been a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). Investors, management, and the public see tremendous value in the positive environment and social impact of good corporate governance. We must all do our part to ensure the health of the planet, the protection of all species, and the…
The latest topic of debate in the fire protection community is single vs double stairways. In the push for affordable housing, some state legislators are considering a single set of stairs in multi-story buildings. This is inconsistent with both NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and IBC (International Building Code) construction standards. NFPA limits a single…
The early days I started my career in safety 40 years ago as an underwriting surveyor. Underwriters would call underwriting surveyors the “eyes and ears of underwriting.” Our role was to verify the information on the application from prospective clients. For example, we would check construction and fire protection, e.g., fire sprinklers. We used to…
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st until November 30th, hitting the peak of activity in mid-September, with most storms from mid-August until mid-October. However, in 2023, we experienced a tropical storm in January, reinforcing the importance of year-round preparation. Just over two years ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida. It was the…