HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
May 18, 2012
Attendees:
Kevin Abbasse – Physical Plant
Susan Campbell, UAW 1976 & ORD
Erica Healander – Risk Mgmt.
Kevin Lawson – Student Ctr.
Toni Taylor – UAW 1975
Kathryn Wilhoff – EHS
Ellen Bernard – EHS
Joanne Hansen – Women’s Commission
Tom Kovacs – Geography & Geology
Steve Pernecky – AAUP
Ken VanZandt – AFSCME
Absent:
Sonya Alvarado, Akosua Dow, Al Dumas, Diana Good, Caroline Gould, Nick Graham,
Norman Harrington, Robert Heighes, Barbara Hopkins, Chad Humble, Mark Monarch, Steve
Moore, Eric Ward, Mark Wesley.
1. Kathryn Wilhoff distributed the activity summary for April/May. Discussion was held.
2. Joanne Hansen inquired about the Halle mold issue. Kathryn reported that periodic
air monitoring is still being performed and levels are okay but are changing. The
insurance company has requested and been supplied with 3 additional estimates.
Clean-up will not begin until the temperature and humidity are under control; the
temperature currently appears to be under control. Plant is looking at equipment to
control the humidity. Everyone is working to get the ARC done by the start of the fall
semester, however, the installation of new air-handling equipment will probably push
the project into the fall semester.
3. Kathryn Wilhoff reported on the follow-up to the issue regarding rats in Strong
classrooms. The rats were not being left in the classrooms but the cages were. EHS
will follow-up regarding the cleaning of the cages being left in 140 Strong and to see if
the classes involving the rats can be conducted in Mark Jefferson if the class is being
held this semester.
4. Kevin Lawson inquired about the guidelines for the lactation rooms. Kathryn stated
that the guidelines were not part new policy but will be an attached document. The
guideline is currently awaiting approval by Human Resources. Once they are
approved they will be released and posted in all of the rooms.
5. Kathryn reported that there has been another change regarding the EMU’s Radiation
Safety Officer (RSO). The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will not approve
personnel from Medical Physics Consultants to be the RSO since EMU has a broad
scope license. In the interim, Steve Francoeur will be the RSO until a Lab Compliance
Manager (LCM) is hired. The LCM will be dedicated to academics for lab safety and
inspections, especially due to the amount of recombinant DNA work that is being
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performed. Jim Carroll and Bob Heighes are working to move this forward with the
Provost Office providing some funding for this position.
6. Joanne Hansen inquired about a procedure for checking emergency lights and phones
due to the recent article in the Echo. Kathryn stated the lights and phones are
checked on a weekly basis by SeeUs who also check standard security lighting on
campus.
7. Kevin Lawson reported that the storage box for the water rescue equipment has been
received and is schedule for installation by the 1st week in June.
8. Kevin Lawson stated that the window cleaning at the Student Center will begin on
August 8th, and will be performed by the same company as last year, who is aware of
the EMU safety requirements.
9. Kevin Abbase provided a list of projects and their status. Mark Jefferson is on
schedule for fall and there has been a walk through with the fire marshal to review the
current status of the project. Kevin also mentioned that the Key Shop has moved to
the Parking Structure. Ken Vanzandt inquired about additional parking spots by the
Key Office and Kevin stated that discussions with Mike Hague are being conducted for
additional 15 minutes parking spots. Tony Duty has been hired as a replacement for
Dave Jaworski, and interviews are still being conducted for Sean’s position.
Purchasing is being moved to the front part of the Physical Plant and central
warehousing is moving into the Purchasing area. The central warehouse is to enable
consolidation of supplies and provide better efficiencies for the allocation of supplies
for work orders.
10. Tom Kovacs inquired about chemical disposal from Strong because of the moves to
Mark Jefferson scheduled in late August. EHS needs to be informed where the
chemicals are and will make arrangements for their disposal.
11. Tom Kovacs asked about the Mitigation Plan that was provided by Mark Wesley.
Kathryn stated that the Health and Safety Committee is to review it and provide any
suggestions for improvements or problem areas, e.g. flooding areas or wind damage,
to Mark. When the mitigation plan is in place, it will provide additional opportunities for
grant funding.
The next meeting is Friday, June 15, 2012 at 9 a.m.
in room 104 Student Center
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