There’s a lot going on in the world of physical risk and vulnerability; it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the latest news and developments. We’ll keep you informed with the best content to keep your organization safe and secure. Check out the top news and headlines from the past month.
Teen grocery worker survives being run over by elderly driver
From ABC 6: A teen grocery worker in Ohio has survived being run over by an elderly driver. The employee was busy stacking fruit at Pickering Hill Farms in Avon, Ohio when he was suddenly struck by an SUV. Police said an 83-year-old driver lost control of her car while trying to park, struck the 19-year-old employee, then smashed into the store and a support pole.
Our take: We don’t always think of the daggers of cars as weapons when we’re not near a road, but the truth is that around 16,000 people are injured annually in the U.S. by vehicles crashing into buildings. It’s important to be aware of how close vehicles can get to your building, and consider using bollards to protect people and buildings from out-of-control vehicles. For more information on bollards, read our guide on the subject.
Ford Next CEO arrested after domestic violence incident at his home
From ClickonDetroit: A Ford Next CEO is accused of trying to set $10,000 handbags on fire during a domestic situation at his Oakland County home, officials said. Franck Dominique Louis-Victor, 50, is the CEO of Ford Next LLC, as well as the vice president of New Business Platforms for the company. Oakland County officials said Louis-Victor was involved in a domestic violence altercation Saturday, July 8, at his home. During the dispute, he tried to set two high-end handbags on fire, according to authorities. Louis-Victor was arrested on charges of arson -- preparation to burn property worth between $1,000 and $20,000 and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Our take: Louis-Victor is a high profile individual within Ford Next, and so his arrest is likely to cause reputational damage to the corporation, but it’s important to remember that damage to a company’s reputation can be caused by regular employees as well. Your employees are unlikely, however, to tell you after an arrest, conviction, or other incident that might attract negative attention. Even allegations of a crime can hurt a business. To find unsavory information that might not be reported, run annual background checks on your employees. You don’t want a client (or the media) to find out about an incident before you do.
Extreme weather reported in multiple regions across the globe as heat wave death toll climbs in U.S.
From NBC: Multiple regions across the world faced extreme conditions in July, with record-breaking rainfall causing massive floods in Nova Scotia, Canada, and thousands of tourists being evacuated in Greece due to wildfires. In the United States, the death toll for the heat wave is on the rise.
Our take: The weather is becoming more and more extreme, with fires causing air quality issues, violent storms, flash floods, tornadoes, and the current heat wave. Heat kills hundreds of people a year in the U.S. and thousands worldwide, so ensure your employees have enough water and can cool down, especially if they work outside.
German police arrest museum heist suspects
From ArtNet News: Gold bars made from melted-down ancient Celtic coins that were stolen in a museum heist have been found by police in Germany. Four suspects have been arrested.
Thieves stole 483 coins from the Celtic Roman Museum in Manching after midnight on November 22, 2022. They severed several fiber optic cables, which caused internet and telephone connections in 13,000 households to go down for several hours. Police said one suspect was carrying 18 gold nuggets in a plastic bag when he was arrested. Forensic analysts identified the material composition as having levels of gold, silver, and copper that corresponded to the composition of the stolen coins.
Our take: It’s disappointing to know that a piece of history has been lost because a criminal melted it down for its gold. This gang was successful because of their inside knowledge of security systems. It is our hope that some of the coins will be recovered unharmed.
July Top Security Grants
Mine health and safety state grants: The Secretary of Labor, through the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), may award grants to state, tribal, and territorial governments (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) to assist them in developing and enforcing state mining laws and regulations, improve state workers’ compensation and mining occupational disease laws and programs, and improve safety and health conditions in the nation’s mines through Federal-State coordination and cooperation. MSHA recognizes that state training programs are a key source of mine safety and health training and education for individuals who work or will work at mines. MSHA encourages state training programs to prioritize health and safety training for small mining operations and underserved mines and miners within the mining industry, and to prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. MSHA is also interested in supporting programs that emphasize training on miners’ statutory rights, including the right to be provided a safe and healthy working environment, to refuse an unsafe task, and to have a voice in the safety and health conditions at the mine. The Agency encourages grantees to address, in their training and education programs, occupational health hazards cause by exposures to respirable dust and crystalline silica, powered haulage and mobile equipment safety, mine emergency preparedness, mine rescue, electrical safety, contract and customer truck drivers, improving training for new and inexperienced miners, managers and supervisors performing mining tasks, pillar safety for underground mines, and falls from heights. Grant closes: August 14, 2023
The Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP): The Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP) provides financial assistance to professional non-profit organizations in activities to improve and/or build state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate major events, including threats or acts of terrorism. The overarching programmatic goal focuses on building state and local capabilities through various means and methods, each one aimed at achieving the National Preparedness Goal and furthering our collective efforts to remain a safe and secure nation. Grant closes: August 21, 2023
National Fire Plan-Wildland Urban Interface Community Fire Assistance: To implement the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy and assist communities at risk from catastrophic wildland fires by providing assistance in the following areas: Implementation of community programs that develop and enhance local capability in the areas of risk assessment and planning, training, mitigation activities, and community and homeowner education and action; Planning and implementation of fuels management reduction activities aimed at mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildlife to communities and natural resources in high risk areas, including associated monitoring or maintenance, on federal land an/or on adjacent non-federal land; Enhancement of local and small business employment opportunities for rural communities; and providing education and training focused on increasing knowledge and fire protection capability of rural fire districts. Projects that include a cost-share or in-kind contribution will have priority for selection. Grant closes: Sept. 1, 2023
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