Washington — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is now accepting charges of discrimination under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

When a building burns down, a lawsuit arises around a contract waiver between an alarm company, a building owner, and the insurance company.

An insurer sues an alarm company for failing to respond when a subscriber’s pipes burst, but a lack of a contract negates the claim.

A California rule is used in deciding cases of workplace safety.

An Illinois state law ensures that individuals are in control of their own biometric data and prohibits private companies from collecting it unless they meet certain consent criteria.

State legislatures are enacting consumer data privacy laws, which provide consumers with more choice over how companies acquire and utilize their personal data.

Before entering the house from the garage, the defendant announced his and the K-9’s presence and ordered anyone in the house to surrender or they would be bitten by the dog.

A court ruled that a security contractor was not liable for a carjacking incident, citing the absence of a special relationship and the unforeseeable nature of the crime.

Saratoga, CA — It’s still an issue: A recent survey of women in the construction industry found that gender-appropriate personal protective equipment and maternity-friendly safety equipment is lacking on jobsites.

Washington — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has published a final rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, including guidance to provide workers with more clarity on the law – and employers with a better understanding of their responsibilities.

Orlando, FL — Safety I and Safety II have divergent viewpoints, but they can be united and aligned into “Safety Seriously.”

Washington – The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking comment on a proposal that would require vessels operating in the outer continental shelf to develop new or modified safety and environmental management systems.

Washington – A recently released fact sheet from OSHA is intended to protect longshore workers who handle baggage at cruise ship terminals.

Washington – OSHA has published three new fact sheets outlining workers’ rights and the procedures for filing whistleblower complaints.

Kansas City, MO – OSHA has launched a pilot program targeted at employers in Region 7 who “engage in egregious behavior and blatant retaliation against workers who report unsafe working conditions and violations of the law.”

Washington — Retaliation against workers who report unsafe or unhealthy conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic is illegal, OSHA is reminding employers.

Washington — A new fact sheet from OSHA details protections for employees who report workplace health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, and includes other relevant information for whistleblowers.

Kansas-based Safety Plus First Aid & Safety helps businesses protect their employees and customers with first-aid kits, AEDs, CPR kits and other safety equipment needed in case of a workplace injury or emergency.

Established in 1993 and based in New York, Altus provides a wide range of fire/life-safety services and solutions throughout the Northeast.

“Phoenix Fire’s team knows their craft and their customers, and that’s a winning combination for a successful business,” expressed Pye-Barker CEO Bart Proctor.

Serving commercial customers throughout eastern Pennsylvania and the Tri-State area, Altronics will work with Pye-Barker's established fire protection and security teams in the region to provide localized service. 

Safety Systems was founded almost 60 years ago by Dale Decker, who built the company on a foundation of quality, service and commitment to the local community.

The SDG acquisition will serve to strengthen Guardian Alarm’s footprint in the market, enabling it to serve more households and businesses in the Columbus, Ohio, area. 

Peak Alarm has six locations in Utah, Idaho and Colorado, and extends coverage throughout these states and into Wyoming, Oregon and Nevada.

Founded in 1964, Mullins is a traditional commercial door and hardware material supplier and installer, serving customers throughout Alabama.

Pasco has been a trusted name in central Florida since 1992, having earned the confidence of area businesses by providing reliable service and caring for customers with integrity, according to an announcement.

Axon said the transaction will enable it to advance drone as first responder programs and safeguard against unauthorized threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems.

DACSIS’s expertise in full fire code protection complements the offerings of Pye-Barker’s nearby commercial alarm and security teams.

A leading manufacturer of premium hinges and door hardware, SOSS primarily sells its solutions in North American non-residential markets. 

Convergint will integrate Alcatraz AI's Rock X facial authentication solution into its security systems, enhancing global enterprise access control with advanced AI technology.

Receiving the highest ranking of five out of five stars, the publication evaluated the company’s official programs for veterans, reviews and information from social media platforms.

Simpro Group’s acquisition of BigChange enhances its field service management capabilities, offering comprehensive solutions for diverse customer needs globally.

The online valuation calculator, enabled by AI, is said to simplify the process for business owners looking to sell home security and alarm accounts.

What can I do to mitigate the risk of heat stress in a hard-to-cool environment?

The Vader Combo is a vented goggle with a faceshield that combines full-face impact and wetness protection with unparalleled anti-fog properties.

The Grasshopper is a versatile dust goggle/spectacle for workers who move between temperature extremes. A soft, comfortable EVA foam dust filter with built-in air channels fills the gap between the goggles and the worker’s face to keep dust out.

Maybe it’s the Annapolitan in me, but when I looked through all the comments from this year’s SDM 100 (link to article) companies detailing the challenges they had faced in 2021 — and predict to continue facing in 2022 — my mind went immediately to an image of rough seas.

The 2022 SDM Systems Integrator of the Year shows how to do acquisitions successfully 

The video surveillance market grew significantly from 2020 to 2021

The security industry has had to be resilient to withstand the supply chain crisis.

Security Industry Trends

The “dog days” of summer. Did you know — I didn’t until I looked it up — that the term dog days refers to astrology, specifically the time period during which a bright star rises and sets with the sun?

Boston – Employees may be more likely to participate in workplace wellness programs if employers offer financial incentives, according to a new study from Harvard Medical School’s Department of Population Medicine.

How can I teach complex concepts, such as center of mass and physics, that are required to instruct operators on the use of heavy equipment?

How does creating a culture around training and education empower and encourage employees to assess their work areas for hazards, as well as play an active role in eliminating those hazards?

How does incorporating visual literacy with connected worker solutions lead to safer workplaces?

This Month’s Article will deviate somewhat from our normal review of current litigation cases: as a fairly new entity has arisen in the security industry: the Management Company.

Initiated in 2020, the standard provides a method of creating an alarm scoring or classification metric for unauthorized human activity detected by alarm systems.

The TMA-ATN-01 standard will develop an efficient means for the monitoring center to provide responding authorities with information that assists with an efficient and safe response.

Established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the SOC 2 Type 1 audit and examination ensures the personal assets of their potential and existing customers are protected to build trust and confidence.