October Is Fire Prevention Month and IRR Looks to Mitigating Year-End Stress With These Safety Precautions

During the fourth quarter, companies have several months of history to look back on, prompting a review of many facets of their business. From their internal safety procedures to external client-interfacing activities and all related components of these practices, senior management takes a moment to formally review these sectors, looking for possible improvement, as well as instances of real accomplishment.

In the first of a three-part series, Integrated Realty Resources, LLC takes a look at areas where stress can be effectively mitigated. One feature that is constant for IRR, and in line with nationally-designated October Fire Prevention Month, is looking after its employees’ safety. And IRR is not just maximizing that; they are taking it to another level. Mr. Cliff Harris, Vice President of Asset Management & Life Safety has a lot to say on the subject. “We’re about to be closed up for the next several months. Windows will be sealed shut and we will be spending most of our time inside. Now is the time to look after the life safety aspects of managing property,” he advises.

As an asset management company, it is responsible guardianship to maintain life safety systems. Cliff continues, “We want to make sure that your boilers are checked, your heaters are checked. Your life safety systems are in working order to protect you from the unforeseen that's going to happen at four o'clock when it’s dark outside. What are we doing to protect ourselves to ensure life safety is good for our employees? Are your outside lights working properly? Are they turning on properly?”

In Cliff’s mind, it comes down to being prepared. The weather is still conducive to taking care of the needs of a commercial property’s outdoor space, including landscaping and parking lot maintenance. Doing so now will minimize risk and possible accidents. “It might seem like a minor thing, but are there shovels and salt buckets ready? Waiting until the walkway is slippery is too late,” he asserts. Also worth mentioning, he says that now is a good time to stock up on facial tissues and hand sanitizer, to keep in abundance for everyone’s use. Cliff even suggests that employees should keep hand sanitizer in their cars and company trucks, as they go from property to property, interacting with clients and tenants, however minimally or not. This kind of diligent foresight and safety provision by upper management benefits everyone: clients, tenants, and IRR’s team members. And a healthy employee is one that helps to keep project timelines on track.

That factor is especially critical, countering the effects of hyperinflation, to some degree. Expenses and the cost of materials will continue to increase, so it is imperative to put safety measures in place ahead of time, and reduce the impact employee absenteeism has on the cost of delaying a plan.

Projects and other activities that involve multiple participants, such as suppliers, vendors, and a maintenance crew require carefully scheduled planning, and for this, minding safety is still a priority. When all parties cooperate with a timetable and a view to maximizing everyone’s availability, stress is reduced. One thing that Mr. Chuck Thibedeau, President of IRR endorses, as it pertains to safety in completing a project, is cleaning up after oneself. When contractors, roof maintenance crews, mechanical contractors, electricians, painters, and plumbers clean up after their work is complete, it reduces hazards such as fire, injury, or other property damage. For these reasons, this is a standard he puts a premium on. “I have visited job sites, just to review the progress. I appreciate it when I see that the area is cleaned up and ready for the next contractor, without any wasted materials or other debris left behind,” he relays.

Furthering the concept that a clean job site is safer for the contractors, but also safer for tenants,?their guests, and IRR’s maintenance technicians, Mr. Mike Lawler, CCIM and Vice President of IRR, puts it succinctly when he states, “Safety is a partnership where all are expected to contribute.” Specific to the maintenance technicians working on a property, Mike elaborates that they are always on the lookout to ensure that the building, its plumbing, and mechanical systems are in good, safe order. These competencies also include that they check to ensure parking lot and building lights are functioning properly, as well as emergency lights, which dovetails on Cliff’s earlier comment. “Our tenants notice this and know that any safety concerns they raise will be taken care of promptly. Whether they speak to one of our maintenance technicians, call our office, or submit work orders through our AppFolio portal, safety-related concerns are our top priority, and we appreciate it when our tenants are quick to alert us to correct these safety issues,” he explains.

Snowplowing is critical for road safety and for clearing parking lots. It’s a regular line item in a budget and there’s never a dispute about its importance. What does come up for review is the length of the contract. Occasionally, Mother Nature surprises everyone with early snowfall or one last winter storm before yielding to springtime. In recent years, a lengthier snowplowing contract has become a regular feature between IRR and its contractors. This provision figures into the overarching safety standards IRR adheres to, for its clients, tenants, and team, by ensuring that parking lots are cleared, however early or late in the season.

“In my years of asset management, and as the Operations Officer of a local Community Response Team (CERT), I have seen that dedication to safety is contagious. Maintaining a safe environment, ensuring that safety systems are in place and safety protocols are consistently and attentively followed, reduces everyday risk, and is critical in the possible event of severe weather or other disaster,” Mike summarizes.

Clearly, there’s a direct correlation between following safety precautions and establishing these as a standard feature in asset management and life safety, and in so doing, mitigating stress. While there are some factors that cannot be controlled, such as hyperinflation, systematic safety measures of being prepared and cleaning up after a project, contribute to everyone’s invulnerability, support timely project completion, and mitigate this aspect of year-end stress. - Copywritten by Boston Edits, LLC.

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