Washington – Responding to ongoing damage in the Gulf Coast region caused by Hurricane Harvey, the Chemical Safety Board has issued a safety alert warning oil and chemical facility workers to follow special precautions when restarting in the wake of the storm.

Washington — The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has found “noticeable gaps” in safety regarding fired vessels on a few offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico that “warrant attention to prevent or mitigate uncontrolled releases of hydrocarbons, toxic substances or other materials,” according to an agency safety alert issued Oct. 2.

Washington — In response to the death of a drillship worker who lacked formal training on using a hydraulic torque wrench, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has issued a safety alert.

Washington – Safety efforts involving unmanned aircraft systems – commonly referred to as drones – must improve to protect airline aircraft, according to the Air Line Pilots Association, International.

Tumwater, WA — A new hazard alert from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries outlines the roles, responsibilities and procedures of erecting and dismantling tower cranes.

Villejuif, France — Frequent use of common cleaning products and disinfectants at work may increase female nurses’ risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by up to 38%, results of a recent study led by researchers from France’s National Institute of Health and Medical Research suggest.

When asked about their biggest challenge in the coming year, security integrators and manufacturers alike often say the same thing: attracting workers.

Collectively, the SDM 100 security dealers grew their RMR 4.2 percent, from $618 million to $643 million last year. Among the top 100 there were 88 dealers who individually improved their RMR rate in 2017 over 2016.

IoT, DIY/MIY, cyber security, active shooters — SDM 100 dealers talk about the issues that will have the biggest impact, either positive or negative, on their businesses this year.

Washington – Automobile dealerships should remain exempt from OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping requirements, the National Automobile Dealers Association stated during a March 26 meeting officials from OSHA and the Office of Management and Budget.

Arlington, VA — In response to more than 500 incidents on longwalls in underground coal mines over the past decade, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Washington — Alarmed by recent separate incidents – one fatal – involving members of airport ground crews, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a safety alert calling on airlines to review safety protocol.

Portland, OR — Spurred by five vehicle operator deaths between 2019 and 2022, a new hazard alert offers best practices for protecting roadside workers and stranded drivers.

Portland, OR — In an effort to prevent worker deaths and injuries stemming from runover and backover incidents, the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences has issued a hazard alert.

Boston — “A future with more frequent and severe storms” has heightened the urgency for protecting workers from injuries caused by falling tree limbs, a new safety alert states.

Lexington, KY — Spurred by 56 worker deaths involving confined spaces in the state between 1994 and 2022, the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance Program has issued a hazard alert.

Washington – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has published a pair of hazard alerts in response to an increase in fatalities at metal and non-metal mines.

Arlington, VA – A new safety initiative from the Mine Safety and Health Administration aims to protect miners at a time of the year when they need it most.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has released a safety alert in response to seven stockpile incidents involving dozers in 2015.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently released its annual safety alert spotlighting hazards unique to the mining industry during winter.

Arlington, VA — Prompted by a fire on a diesel-powered water car in May, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert addressing fire hazards associated with diesel equipment in underground mines.

New York — In response to growing safety concerns among female and gender-nonconforming journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists has published a collection of resources to help combat work-related physical threats, online harassment and other dangers.

The National Training Center (NTC), a prominent source of on-location and virtual classroom training and training materials in the various low-voltage disciplines, is offering a quick flash sale of its renown Low Voltage Library.  

Sales management software can streamline the acquisition transition by unifying the newly merged workforces via a common platform and process.

Xcelerate provides services on an outsourced, or fractional, basis. Fractional sales leadership offers a cost-effective solution, allowing security companies to affordably access experienced sales executives with a proven track record of success.

Two generations of the Pastore family direct Crime Prevention Security Systems—and consider employees their extended family. From left: Office Manager Jessica Pastore; Vice President of Sales Randi Elrad; President John

This year, as hundreds of companies all over the country shrunk and cut back, one security company in Provo, Utah, did something unusual. APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. (APX) grew

When The Protection Bureau saw the recession coming, it decided on what some would call a risky course of action. The company chose to use an offensive — not defensive — growth strategy, expanding its offerings and growing its customer service department. It proactively connected with its current clients through a new Client Care Department and a company-wide, downright fanatical focus on customer satisfaction and intentional interaction.

Talk to a Protection 1 employee and there is a palpable energy that radiates outward about their job, the company and the customer. Chicago-based Protection 1, has always contained a deep-rooted love for the customer. But while employees embraced the concept, the execution was missing, as Protection 1 experienced declining growth for seven consecutive years.

Steady and rapid growth in the dealer program market, like the kind Security Networks, SDM’s 2012 Dealer of the Year Honoree, has had in recent years requires more than a good marketing program or exciting services. Security Networks, West Palm Beach, Fla., prides itself on an average of 40 percent growth year-over-year for the past eight years, its president, Richard Perry, tells SDM.

Protection 1, Chicago, acquired Vintage Security, Washington, D.C. The new addition is the largest acquisition in Protection 1’s history.

 ADS Security is a successful oxymoron. The company has a unique ability to combine the stability of a traditional, nationally recognized security company with the freshness of a young company with trending offerings. The results are solid growth, raving fans, and a bright future.  

Curious about who has won in the past? Over the last 38 years an incredible range of dealers have impressed SDM with their unmistakable success, innovation, use of industry best practices, and notable growth and accomplishments. Each year the winners are truly a snapshot of what is great about the industry.

SDM’s 2015 Dealer of the Year combines both old and new ideas to pave the way for the future.

They say necessity is the mother of invention.

SDM has extended the deadline to July 7 for companies to apply to become the 2017 SDM Dealer of the Year, an annual recognition of companies that demonstrate unmistakable success, a high level of innovation, the use of industry best practices, and notable growth and accomplishments in the security dealer industry.

The ADT brand is synonymous with security — instantly recognizable by virtually every competitor and potential customer in the United States. Its 143-year history, combined with its massive size (an estimated $4.3 billion in gross revenues in 2017 and ranked No. 1 on the SDM 100 Report every year since its inception in 1991) puts this security dealer in the ranks of some of the largest companies in the country.

Lexington, Ky., is known for a few things: horses, bluegrass, bourbon, a historic downtown area, and — when it comes to security systems — Bates Security/Sonitrol of Lexington.

From its humble beginnings in a Toyota Corolla, CPI Security — originally Crime Prevention Inc. — has operated with a singular focus.

What do termites, diamonds and security have in common? All three are components of the history of this year’s SDM Dealer of the Year. Sonitrol began when Al Cronk, a police officer, was interested in verifying alarms using audio; Bob Baxter invented microphones to detect termites in trees.

With deep, long-standing roots in the community, this company’s service-based culture and strong commitment to both employees and customers have earned it the distinction of being named SDM’s 2021 Dealer of the Year.

When it comes to maintaining relationships with customers, this company is at the top of its game, all while increasing revenue and keeping employees healthy, happy and engaged. 

Faced with debt, higher than desired attrition, challenges in retaining employees, inflation and supply chain issues caused by a global pandemic, this company managed to get completely debt-free, lower attrition, raise both wages and prices, and still make a profit — all of which resulted in a “war chest” that helped them invest in key cyber and marketing efforts.

In the years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, training and preparation for police, fire and emergency medical services professionals has taken on heightened importance,

Washington — Temporary hours-of-service exemptions and other regulatory relief for truckers during regional emergency declarations will be limited under a recently published Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration final rule.

Silver Spring, MD — Stressing the importance of lightning awareness while working outdoors, the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR – has published a hazard alert and toolbox talk addressing the topic.

Tumwater, WA — A new hazard alert from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is intended for employers and workers who use personal fall arrest systems positioned near exposed edges.

Washington — In response to a recent increase in fatal falls from height in the mining industry, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a fall protection safety alert.

Arlington, VA — Alarmed by a steady stream of miner deaths related to falls from height, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Monitoring centers are focused on improving customer contact and providing tools for ease of use and quicker response.