Quick Summary Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a medical gas used during oral surgery to help patients relax and reduce discomfort. The main staff safety concern is waste anesthetic gas (WAG)—nitrous oxide that leaks into room air from a poor mask seal, patient exhalation, equipment leaks, or weak scavenging and ventilation. Oral surgery can increase exposure… Read more »
A New Approach to Health & Safety Compliance
Let’s say you own a manufacturing company and employ dozens of workers — some of them in high-risk positions. You’re gaining business, growing in capability, and cultivating a difficult-to-beat leadership team. Chances are high, though, that you’ve one spot yet open. You don’t have an environmental health and safety (EHS) compliance officer. Here’s why you… Read more »
Mold and Moisture Guide for Property Owners and Maintenance Teams
Mold doesn’t care about your schedule, your budget, or your best intentions. If moisture gains entry to your property and meets the right material and conditions, mold will grow. The goal of this article is to give property owners, maintenance staff, and facilities managers the practical knowledge they need to handle mold and moisture problems—before… Read more »
Silica Exposure and Cal/OSHA’s Silica Emergency Rule
Respirable crystalline silica is a mineral so fine that it is able to lodge deep in the lungs, potentially causing silicosis long after the job has been completed. California has logged more than 230 confirmed silicosis cases and 14 deaths since 2019. In 2024 alone, more than a quarter of California’s inspected engineered-stone shops were… Read more »
Beating Heat Stress on the Jobsite: A Field-Tested Playbook
Last summer the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported more than 2,300 heat-related deaths nationwide—the steepest one-year spike in 45 years. For industrial health consultants like FACS, that sobering trend is an urgent conversation point with every client who pours concrete, lays pipe, welds, roofs, landscapes, farms, or performs other work in elevated temperatures during… Read more »
Workplace Safety: Protecting Eyes and Face from Injury
Eye and face injuries are among the most common, yet most preventable, injuries occurring in the workplace. Each day, approximately 2,000 U.S. workers experience eye injuries severe enough to require medical attention. These incidents not only result in personal injury but can also lead to diminished or lost productivity, costs for medical treatments, and unnecessary… Read more »
Managing Legionella Risk in Cooling Towers with Smart Water Quality Programs
Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments, but when conditions are right, they thrive in man-made water systems such as cooling towers. For facility managers, this is more than just a maintenance concern—uncontrolled Legionella growth can lead to outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease, a serious and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia. Cooling towers are essential… Read more »
New Cal/OSHA Heat Regulation Guidelines
The new Cal/OSHA indoor heat regulation for California workplaces is now in effect. Understanding its requirements can help keep your company in compliance and protect the health of your workers. For many industries, from construction to manufacturing, these rules represent a significant shift in how indoor heat risks are regulated and managed. This article will… Read more »
California’s New Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Regulation
California’s new indoor heat illness prevention regulation is the first comprehensive law of its kind in the United States, requiring significant protective measures for workers in indoor environments where temperatures meet or exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Effective immediately, this regulation mandates that employers develop an Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan (IHIPP) that ensures worker access… Read more »
Cooling Towers and Legionnaires’ Disease: What Every Facility Manager Needs to Know
Cooling towers may look like they’re just another piece of equipment—humming away to help keep your facility comfortable. But what if, hidden inside the cooling tower, there’s a threat that could negatively impact your facility and the health of those around it? Within weeks, up to 221 people were symptomatic, and 34 expired from the illness. Physicians… Read more »
What Is The OSHA Updated Hazard Communication Standard? Key Changes Explained
Are you familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) updated Hazard Communication Standard? This essential regulation is designed to protect workers from chemical hazards through improved communication and training. The most significant change is the adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classifying and labeling chemicals, which ensures consistent information for better… Read more »
Infectious Disease and Species: Level Sampling For Mold in Healthcare Settings
Sampling for Mold in Healthcare Settings Mold in healthcare settings can pose significant health risks and liability issues. Along with an effective mold and moisture management program, consulting with an environmental health consultant to assist in evaluations will help achieve a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. This article outlines key standards and guidelines,… Read more »
CAL/OSHA Lead Standards Updates: How We Got Here and Where We’re Going
2,000 years ago lead was used for piping water, minting coins, as an ingredient in cosmetics, to sweeten wines, and for many other things. Lead is malleable, durable, and abundant — all valuable properties for many products still produced today. Unfortunately, lead is also toxic to humans. The Roman architect, Vitruvius, warned about the negative… Read more »
New MSHA Silica Rule Overview
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently updated its standard on respirable crystalline silica (RCS) that took effect on June 17, 2024. These changes follow extensive review of testimonies and written comments from a broad range of stakeholders. Companies operating any mine (metal, non-metal or coal), quarries, sand, gravel, and other aggregate activities should… Read more »
Heat-Related Illness in Industrial Environments: Risks and Prevention Strategies
Heat-related illnesses pose a significant threat to worker health and safety. That’s why it is essential for owners and managers to understand the causes of heat stress, recognize the types of heat-related illnesses, and be ready to implement effective prevention strategies. This article will explore the key factors contributing to heat stress, the various heat-related… Read more »
IEQ: The Rise in Concern About Indoor Environmental Quality
It was once a term used primarily by environmental scientists and government regulators, but “IEQ” (the acronym for “Indoor Environmental Quality”) is now frequently used in mainstream conversations. COVID forced us all to think more deeply about how the indoor environment promotes or detracts from the health of occupants. In this article, we’ll discuss the… Read more »
Is There an OSHA Database? What Every Business Owner Should Know
If OSHA inspectors showed up at your business today, would you know what they already know about you? Most business and building owners don’t realize this: OSHA keeps public records on citations, injuries, fatalities, and even safety inspections. And those records are searchable. Right now, anyone — including clients, competitors, and prospective partners — can… Read more »
How to Pass LEED Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing
Healthy building certifications are in strong demand. The COVID-19 pandemic increased concern about indoor air quality, and environmental sustainability has never been more of an issue than it is today. Money spent to boost the environmental credentials of your building is an investment in the health of both your company and your people. We’ve earlier… Read more »
How To Decide Which Supplied Air Respirator Is Best
Choosing a supplied air respirator (SAR) can be a stressful task. Even if you pay top dollar and shop with a trusted supplier, there’s no guarantee the SAR you choose is best for your situation. How, then, can you confirm the supplied air respirator you buy is the best fit for your needs? That’s simple:… Read more »
The #1 OSHA Violation and How to Avoid It
The same OSHA safety violation has topped the list for the last 13 years. In 2023, OSHA citations for that violation (fall protection) more than doubled the number of citations issued for the second-ranked safety concern (hazard communication). Assessing your workplace or worksite risk profile and taking steps to ensure your workers comply with OSHA… Read more »
Respirator Fit Tests vs User Seal Checks: Why Both Matter
Those who wear a respirator on the job, safety leaders, industrial hygienists, and supervisors, need both seal checks and respirator fit tests. If you are responsible for keeping people safe around airborne hazards, this information will help you explain to workers what to do and why it matters. The Short Answer A user seal check… Read more »
Creating a Workplace Where Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Safety programs often start with a binder and a deadline. Regulations matter—no argument there. But if the goal is fewer injuries, less downtime, and a reputation for doing things right, compliance is your floor, not your ceiling. What moves the needle is culture—the daily habits, choices, and norms that make people pause before a task… Read more »
Are OSHA Citations Public? A Guide to Workplace Safety Records
Workplace safety impacts everyone, and awareness of potential hazards can make all the difference when choosing an employer or advocating for better working conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) tracks workplace inspections, violations, and enforcement actions across industries. These records allow employees to check whether their employer follows federal safety regulations and provides… Read more »
Healthcare Construction Guidelines Under ICRA 2.0
Infection control risk assessment (ICRA) guidelines clarify the need for careful assessments of construction project activity at healthcare facilities. The ICRA guidelines are not a set of burdensome rules. They provide a framework that can help you navigate the healthcare construction process. Healthcare construction and renovation projects tend to be more strategically demanding than other… Read more »
HVAC Systems Maintenance in Healthcare Settings
Hospitals, clinics, and other specialized healthcare providers present a unique environment where air quality is paramount. Hazards such as surgical smoke, aerosolized medications used in treatments, and airborne infectious agents are commonplace in healthcare and go well beyond the challenges faced in a typical office building or school classroom. The healthcare environment is further complicated… Read more »
What Are The Most Common Health and Safety Hazards In Construction?
Physical hazards in construction site accident reports are commonplace. They are just one of the many types of hazards construction workers can face, though. FACS workplace safety consultants are often asked questions like “What are potential hazards to be aware of at work?” and “What are the most common health and safety hazards in construction?”… Read more »
Construction Site Safety: Identifying Occupational Health Hazards
Construction site safety requires more than just wearing hard hats and safety vests. Smart contractors identify occupational health hazards before they harm workers’ health. In the fast-paced world of construction — where multiple teams operate side by side — risks can be present in everything from dust-laden air to high-decibel machinery. By recognizing these occupational… Read more »
Health and Safety Plan Templates Are Not Always a Good Idea
If you own a business that has employees, you are subject to the requirements of OSHA (both state and federal) and other regulatory agencies. Sometimes, the red tape can get so thick that businesses are fined for violating regulations they weren’t even aware of. Such was the case with a business owner cited for violations… Read more »
Change Orders That Never Had To Happen
You win the bid, lock the schedule, and open the ceiling. Then come the “discoveries”: asbestos in the mastic, lead on a “non-lead” door frame, PCB caulk nobody priced. Costs climb and tempers flare. For some building contractors, it’s business as usual. But for those who know the importance of a pre-renovation hazardous building materials… Read more »
How To Respond When There Is an Environmental Health Problem In Your Building
As public awareness of the impact of the environment on human health heightens, so do the demands of employees to work in a safe, healthy environment free of hazards. Concerns over the health of a building, commonly referred to as Indoor Environmental or Air Quality (IEQ or IAQ), can affect the comfort, health, productivity, and… Read more »
The Importance of Health and Safety Training
Who needs health and safety training? Employers often wonder why hazard awareness instruction is important — since many of the safe work practices included seem evident and need no explanation. Workers new to a job, though, may not recognize hazards that seem so apparent to you. On the other end of that scale, more experienced… Read more »
Workplace Temperature Regulations: Cal/OSHA Takes the Lead
Workplace temperature regulations are difficult to find — but that doesn’t stop workers from dying of heat-related illness, and it doesn’t stop your company from being found negligent in the duty you have to protect your people. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimate puts the annual death rate from heat-related conditions in… Read more »
How to Evaluate an Odor in Your Building
What’s that smell? Is it dangerous? Should I be concerned? Odor evaluations can be one of the most difficult indoor environmental quality (IEQ) investigations to perform. Odors are also an issue that can quickly escalate from murmuring to a major problem for building owners and management. Approached correctly, though, an odor evaluation can show building… Read more »
What Happens If A Company Violates OSHA: Consequences and Penalties Explained
When a company violates Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, the consequences can be severe and multifaceted. OSHA violations can lead to substantial fines, legal action, and serious harm to employees, underscoring the importance of adherence to safety regulations. In cases where violations result in severe injuries or fatalities, employers may face criminal charges,… Read more »
Tips for Creating an Ergonomic Home Office for Remote Work
As an employee, you’ve likely had the opportunity to work from home in recent years. As an employer, chances are you’ve offered an employee to continue their duty off-site. The idea of a home office has always been around, but the option to work at home has become more prevalent since the quarantine era of… Read more »
Chicago Asbestos Regulations: Navigating Compliance for Property Owners
Asbestos has long been a concern in urban environments due to its prevalence, especially in older buildings, and the significant health risks it poses when fibers become airborne. In response to these risks, Chicago has implemented strict regulations on the handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. These regulations are designed to protect public health… Read more »
Healthcare EHS Consulting: Your Secret Weapon for Safer, More Sustainable Hospitals
Hospitals and clinics are busy, complex environments where safety risks are constant—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward preventing costly incidents and keeping everyone safe. Picture this: A biohazard spill erupts in a busy emergency department. Patient safety is threatened, staff are exposed to risks, and regulatory fines… Read more »
Air Sensor Technology and Indoor Air Quality
A direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a heightened awareness of indoor environmental quality by both building occupants and property owners in the built environment. Direct-reading air quality instruments have long existed to monitor indoor air quality pollutants in real-time. Still, in recent years, advances in sensor technology have resulted in an expansion… Read more »
Fit Testing Respirators
Not only is fit testing required by OSHA, but — when done well — it provides assurance to workers that the employer is properly protecting their health in a potentially hazardous environment. For example, the COVID pandemic created an unprecedented need for healthcare staff to wear respirators during patient care. Entering a room where you… Read more »
Oregon Adopts New Heat and Wildfire Smoke Rules
Oregon OSHA recently published two new rules to protect workers from the effects of excessive exposure to heat and wildfire smoke. Both will require certain preparatory actions from employers. In this article, we’ll summarize the new Oregon OSHA requirements and alert Oregon businesses of the importance of developing a strategy for compliance with the regulations…. Read more »
Illinois Fire Code Exit Doors: Compliance Guidelines for Safety
Fire safety is of paramount importance in building design and occupancy, and Illinois is no different in maintaining stringent requirements for egress during emergencies. The state’s fire code, in alignment with broader standards such as the International Fire Code (IFC) and the Life Safety Code, outlines specific mandates for exit doors—components critical to safe and… Read more »
What Does an Air Quality Test Detect?
You may not give much thought about air quality (AQ) at your location — not until someone gets sick, employees start complaining, or a surprise inspection catches you by surprise. That’s when you pay attention. If you’re an employer, especially one managing a building, facility, or job site, you can’t afford to ignore air quality…. Read more »
Construction Site Safety Blind Spots
Projects need to be completed within the budget and on time. That pressure can contribute to overlooking risks and a failure to recognize or correct unsafe conditions. The consequences of succumbing to that pressure are real and can sometimes be catastrophic to the lives of workers and their families. Fatalities in construction occupations rose six… Read more »
Have Schools Forgotten About AHERA?
Here’s an amazing fact: Many people — even those who occupy decision-making positions in school districts — have no idea what AHERA is, what is required of the school district to comply, the current status of their schools’ reports, or how to comply with AHERA in a cost-effective manner. Chances are high that you’re either… Read more »
Cannabis Worker Safety: Equipment and Methods
Why be concerned about cannabis worker safety? There are approximately 428,000 workers legally employed by cannabis operations in the USA, and 2021 sales of cannabis products reached nearly $25 billion according to the most recent Cannabis Jobs Report by Leafly. A BDS Analytics study says 2027 worldwide sales will reach $57 billion — with the… Read more »
Protecting the Health of Cannabis Workers
*Updated November 2022 to reflect more recent figures and information. According to the cannabis jobs report (2022), there are more people now working in legal cannabis operations than there are dental hygienists, insurance salespeople, or textile workers. Jobs within the cannabis industry grew by 33 percent in 2021 over the prior year, pushing the current… Read more »
Key Considerations for Your COVID-19 Safety Plan: FACS Update #2
The COVID-19 pandemic is in full swing, and even with the current emergency public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus, it is expected to be of concern for an extended period of time. Organizations must prepare for the near-term impacts, but also for a “new normal” of how to include protecting their… Read more »
How to Avoid a Cal/OSHA IIPP Violation
California employees enjoy rights and protections not available to workers in other states. A U.S. News and World Report study placed California in the lead for the title of “Best State for Worker Rights.” That’s the good news. California employers know that great achievements do not come cheaply, however. They are subject to some of… Read more »