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UNION-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

March 2024 Meeting Minutes

The monthly meeting of the Union-Management Safety Committee was conducted on March 12^th, 2024 by the Environmental Health and Safety department with the following individuals in attendance:

Josh Balfour                A                     Dining Services

Kathy Cain-Babbitt     A                     AFSCME

Kelly Duncan              A                     Landscape Services

Cory Ghiringhelli        A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Mark Heeres               A                     Dining Services           

Devin Johnson            A                     Maintenance Services

Darrell Junkins            A                     Landscape Services     

Lindsey Myers            VA                  Sindecuse Health Center

Keith Pung                  A                     Environmental Health and Safety

Vince Renda               A                     Maintenance Services

Laura Weber               VA                  Legal Affairs, Risk, and Compliance

Mark Weiss                 A                     Environmental Health and Safety      

Jake Woods                 A                     Environmental Health and Safety

In-Person Attendance:        (A)

Virtual Attendance:            (VA)

OLD BUSINESS

Darrell Junkins provided an update to the safety concern regarding condition of large trees near the parking lot located west of the Goldsworth Valley I complex.  A recent near-miss accident involved a fallen tree which struck and severely damaged a parked Maintenance Services vehicle.  An employee was outside of the building and in close proximity at the time of the incident; fortunately, no personal injuries were incurred.  The fallen tree was cleaned up but it appeared that no further action was taken at that time.  Vince Renda requested that a safety assessment be performed of the trees which surround the parking lot and nearby pedestrian areas.  Darrell stated that Tom Sauber and Devin Johnson have been effectively working through the situation.  A thorough inspection of the area was performed by an arborist which resulted in a recommendation of additional trees being removed.  A large tree adjacent to the vehicle parking area was scheduled to be cut down on the 3/12/24.  Additional trees, located deeper into the wooded area, were also identified for removal.

Jake Woods provided an update to the safety concern involving access to overhead mounted air handling units located in the Paper Pilot Plant.  Vince Renda previously stated that air handling units 1 and 2 are suspended from the ceiling and do not have a catwalk leading to them.  An articulating aerial lift is kept stored in the Paper Plant or the loading dock of Floyd Hall that would facilitate safe access to the mechanical equipment, but operations within the Paper Plant would need to be paused to allow for usage.  Committee discussions involved potential installation of a catwalk system or communication between Maintenance Services and the Paper Plant regarding temporary interruption of operations.  Jake Woods investigated the situation and opened a dialogue with the Paper Pilot Plant management.  He was informed that the Paper Pilot Plant’s operating schedule is known typically 4-6 weeks in advance, machines are not usually operating in the early morning-late afternoon-weekends, and that they prefer coordinating a shut-down or temporary pause of operations, if necessary, rather than pursuing a catwalk system.  Coordination efforts should be facilitated with the Paper Pilot Plant management staff.

Mark Heeres previously introduced a safety concern regarding snow and ice removal near the Student Center.  Mark mentioned he arrived on campus during the early morning hours for work with Dining Services and observed appreciable ice and snow that had yet to be removed.  Devin Johnson stated that there had recently been a set-point issue with the walkway snow melt system and it was believed that necessary adjustments had been made. Darrell Junkins also mentioned that Services is still learning all of the new walkways surrounding the building and some of them may not had been serviced during the recent precipitation event. A review of the site with the plow and shovel crew had already taken place.  A similar situation was introduced by Judy Slumkoski at a Seeyle Center entryway.  It was recommended that employees inform the Facilities Management Service Center of campus areas requiring snow and ice removal as soon as they are observed. 

COMPLETED/CLOSED 

PROJECT LIST/TABLE

No updates.

NEW BUSINESS

Kelly Duncan introduced a safety concern involving damage to walking/structural components of the Ellsworth Hall parking structure (#1) and associated crossover walkway.  Deteriorated concrete elements of the building structure were recently observed by Landscape Services personnel.  Kelly will forward along photographic documentation of the situation. Devin Johnson will investigate and create a FM work order, if the issues are not currently known by FM-Engineering.

SAFETY HAPPENINGS

Kelly Duncan mentioned that newly hired Landscape Services employees recently attended quick-cut lawn mower operation training. 

Cory Ghiringhelli expressed appreciation to Pat Lem of Maintenance Services for helping resolve an issue with the fire alarm system located in the Goldsworth Valley Complex.  An annunciator had been observed to be malfunctioning by student occupants during a recent tornado warning event.  Cory relayed the concerns he received to Pat, who then immediately coordinated repair efforts with the alarm system contractor.

Jake Woods shared that the National Safety Council recognizes Ladder Safety during the month of March.  National Ladder Safety Month is an annual observance held each year highlighting awareness of ladder safety and to decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Focus efforts include:  Training-Awareness, Inspection-Maintenance, Stabilization-Setup-Accessories, and Safe Climbing-Positioning.  The goals of National Ladder Safety Month are to raise awareness of ladder safety, decrease injuries/fatalities caused by ladder misuse, and increase the number of people certified in Ladder Safety Training.  Further information can be found at: .

The next UMSC meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9^th, 2024 in the shared conference room located on the ground floor of the E.W. Building at 10:00 a.m.; an invitation to attend via video conferencing platform (WebEx) will also be sent out with these minutes.  Please send a substitute representative if you are unable to attend.

Published: 3/18/2024