Companies are racing to implement phone-based credentials to increase security and user convenience. In general, that’s a good thing. However, if you’re thinking they’ll finally solve all of your identity security and credential management issues, think again.  

Communication — both with end users and emergency personnel — has always been an essential part of any monitoring business. The methods through which monitoring centers communicate, though, have become incredibly varied.

When I first entered the security industry in 1973, alarm communications were performed by Direct Wire, McCulloh and some high security applications using voice-grade telephone lines configured in “open window” and later “closed window” bridges.

Keeping video surveillance systems up and running can be challenging — in large part because not everything needed to keep the camera functioning properly is under the control of the security integrator.

Here’s the good news: Experts predict that within the next four or five years, there will be more than 40 billion IoT devices hard at work — improving the safety, efficiency, reliability and productivity of the world’s enterprises.

There has been a decided push in both technology and interest — from both security integrators and customers — on the cloud-based services that bring recurring monthly revenue.

The ISO 9001 certified, U.K.-based manufacturer of network fiber optic transmission products brings a broad line of transmission solutions to the Americas. 

Genetec Inc. announced that the company unified security platform has been chosen by Brazil’s Hercílio Luz International Airport in Florianópolis (Floripa), to manage its physical security infrastructure, and provide operational insights.

TouchTone’s partners face a unique challenge: the phasing-out of legacy copper-wire phone lines, informally known as Plain Old Telephone Service or POTS.

According to the announcement, Solis Energy’s commitment to reliable outdoor power solutions aligns with Magos Systems’ advanced AI-powered radar detection technology.

The new availability of rXg will greatly reduce the time and labor required to implement multi-tenant networks including those offering paid or tiered services.

With headquarters in Barneveld, offices in Belgium and Spain, and additional sales forces throughout Europe, Intronics supplies standard stock products as well as customer-specific solutions in and beyond the Benelux region.

Washington — A proposed rule that would restore two parts of OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping regulations is under review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

Harrisburg, PA — A new website launched by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute will help track struck-by incidents involving first responders on the nation’s roadways.

Washington — OSHA is requesting public comment on a proposed rule that would revise its injury and illness recordkeeping regulation.

Washington — OSHA has extended until June 30 the deadline to comment on a proposed rule that would revise injury and illness recordkeeping rules.

Trenton, NJ — A coalition of state attorneys general has written a letter supporting OSHA’s proposed changes to the agency’s injury and illness recordkeeping rules.

Chicago — A group of researchers is calling for an increase in occupational health and safety research focused on Indigenous people.

Washington — A recent letter of interpretation from OSHA clarifies whether a fatal motor vehicle incident involving an employee would be considered work-related.

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.

Website operators who seek to bind visitors to the terms of an arbitration agreement must make those terms “reasonably conspicuous” under the law.

A man trapped for five days after a fire tore through an apartment building filed a suit seeking compensation to punish the defendant.

A worker claiming unsafe working conditions sought unemployment benefits after quitting is role as a technician with a fire services company.   

A decision recently rendered in Illinois involved a requirement that a property be retrofitted with an automatic sprinkler system. The municipality had previously mandated that commercial buildings be retrofitted with the fire/life safety solutions. The ordinance excluded multiple residence dwellings from the retrofit sprinkler requirement.

In Michigan, an arsonist set the plaintiff’s liquor store on fire.

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

A U.S. District Court decision clarifies why the defendants’ conduct was not the legal cause of a plaintiff’s death. 

A plaintiff argued that the terms of an original alarm services agreement were immaterial because it wasn’t suing on the contract, but on tort and implied warranty theories.

An alarm company allegedly failed to obtain the required approvals before disarming a customer’s video surveillance system.

Guest columnist James D. Berkeley details why a U.S. federal court dismissed an inventor’s attempt to copyright artwork produced by an image generator he designed.

At issue is a contractual provision whereby an insured waives the right of their insurance carrier to seek redress or seek compensation for losses from a negligent third party.

Following the unfortunate death of a woman who had activated a PERS alarm, a jury will decide the damages. 

A party that signs a document is conclusively bound by its terms absent a valid excuse for having failed to read it.

A female defendant, convicted for using aluminum foil to bypass retail anti-theft sensors, challenged the conviction by arguing the foil’s common household use.

A court ruled that an employer’s reasonable and good faith belief in compliance with wage statement laws precludes penalties for failing to report unpaid meal break premiums as wages.

“Women seem to have to work harder to prove their knowledge of the subject matter even when they might have more knowledge and experience than a male,” one expert says.

Amherst, MA — The long-standing approach that “the customer is always right” can take a toll on workers’ mental health and limit their capacity to serve customers, according to a recent study.

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.

Salem, OR — Students from Silverton and Hermiston high schools took first-place prizes in this year’s Oregon OSHA media contest to promote young worker safety and health awareness.

Rosemont, IL — Over a span of months before their May 15 keynote presentation – “The Battle Between Safety I and Safety II: Who’s Right and Who’s Wrong?” – at the 2024 NSC Spring Safety Conference and Expo, SafeStart senior safety consultant Tim Page-Bottorff and Corrie Pitzer, founder and CEO of Safemap International, used debate to find common ground.

Washington — A series of new resources on worker rights and employer and union responsibilities under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 are now available in 17 languages.

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

Here’s what you need to know to build an effective workplace emergency readiness plan.

Many workplaces may have up to four generations of workers – each with generally preferred communication methods and learning styles.

Combustible dusts – finely ground organic or metal particles – can be found in a number of industries, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries states. These industries include food, tobacco, plastics, paper, rubber, textiles, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and fossil fuel power generation.

ASSA ABLOY announced the company’s latest GreenCircle Certifications and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for architectural door accessories, which include the following Rockwood Products: locking pull LP3301; MegaTek pulls; MezzoTek pulls; GeoMetek pulls; BandWidth pulls; vandal resistant pull; offset pull and push bar; pull plates including 105x70C, 107x70C, and 111x70C; as well as ASSA ABLOY glass solutions products 4-in. square and tapered door rails, and the PDU8000-3 panic device.

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 – The National Transportation Safety Board on April 8 issued a series of recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard and other ferry industry stakeholders following the investigation of a January 2013 ferry crash in New York City.

Washington – OSHA and the Department of Transportation should increase collaboration to protect whistleblowers in the transportation industry, concludes a report released March 19 by the Government Accountability Office.

Washington – OSHA administrator David Michaels and stakeholders at a recent Senate subcommittee hearing made their case for strengthening the agency’s statute that protects workers who blow the whistle on employers for violating occupational safety standards.