HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
July 20, 2012
Attendees:
Ellen Bernard – EHS
Akosua Dow- Academic Affairs
Tom Kovacs – AAUP
Bilal Sarsour - Physical Plant
Mark Wesley- Emerg. Mgmt.
Gregg Wilmes- AAUP
Susan Campbell, UAW 1976 & ORD
Joanne Hansen – Women’s Commission
Kevin Lawson – Student Ctr.
Toni Taylor – UAW 1975
Kathryn Wilhoff – EHS
Absent:
Kevin Abbasse , Sonya Alvarado, Diana Good, Nick Graham, Norman Harrington, Erica
Healander , Robert Heighes, Barbara Hopkins, Chad Humble, Mark Monarch, Steve Moore,
Ken VanZandt, and Eric Ward,.
1. Kathryn Wilhoff distributed the activity summary for June/July. Discussion was held.
Kathryn reported EMU received the NRC licensure approval through 2022.
2. Susan Campbell inquired about the Ford alarm test. Kathryn Wilhoff reported that it
was part of the monthly Emergency Management notification system test.
3. Kevin Lawson asked about the Lactation Room Guideline. Kathryn Wilhoff reported
the guideline is currently available on the EHS website and the policy is available on
the HR website.
4. Kathryn Wilhoff asked Akosua Dow if she had any additional information regarding the
replacement of the carpet in the McNair office at Starkweather. Akosua stated that
approval for the offices and the conference room had just been received
5. Kevin Lawson inquired about the fireworks disposal. Kathryn Wilhoff reported that
DPS had a smoke bomb that needs to be disposed of. In the interim and for future
needs, DPS is checking into a small cabinet for safe storage until the next hazardous
waste disposal.
6. Tom Kovacs inquired about Bake sale status. Kathryn Wilhoff informed him that Bake
Sales can be held and the Food Committee is in the process of deciding how to best
handle them. Pizza Sales are all but gone unless the group has a temporary license
or an employee of the pizza establishment is serving the pizza. The Food Committee
is working with Campus Life to identify other ways for student organizations to raise
funds. Greg Wilmes asked how much time was being spent on Bake Sales. Kathryn
stated there are 6 to 9 per week during fall and winter semesters requiring
approximately half an hour for paperwork and then another 30 minutes to conduct the
inspections.
H&S Committee Minutes –7/12
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7. Kathryn Wilhoff stated EHS has received approval from the President to hire a Lab
Compliance Manager. The focus of the position is on lab safety and will assume the
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) responsibilities after approximately a year of crosstraining. Some of the other responsibilities will include biosafety, laser safety, the
Chemical Hygiene Plan and lab inspections. Kathryn is chairing the search committee
and is looking to have the position posted by 9/1/12. Kathryn is also looking for a
temporary position to eventually fill Ellen’s position but it has not been approved yet.
8. Joanne Hansen inquired about the water issue in Halle. Due to the low use of the
building during the summer there have been reports of brown water. If this occurs the
water just needs to run for a couple of minutes to clear the line.
9. Susan Campbell asked about the lead at Oestrike. Kathryn Wilhoff responded this
was testing of the paint for lead in preparation of sandblasting and repainting.
10. Mark Wesley reported he is reviewing the Convocation and Rynearson emergency
plans. There is going to be a fire drill there on 8/15/12 involving student volunteers.
11. Mark Wesley stated with the amount of outdoor activities occurring at EMU, it is
important that lightning monitoring be conducted. Currently only the athletic
department monitors for it. Mark reported that due to the increased activity and use by
other non-EMU organizations there is a potential liability issue. The approval of the
Mitigation Plan and possible grant funding might allow for an automatic lightning
detection system but something needs to be done in the interim. Susan Campbell
asked if there was a subscription monitor system that could be used. Mark said that
the NCAA has guidelines for lightning that need to be adopted especially for the pools.
12. Toni Taylor inquired about tornado warnings. Mark Wesley stated that this is a
problematic area because there is inadequate shelter for the fields other than the
lower level of the Convocation Center. This is another possible item for grant funding.
13. Kevin Lawson reported that Student Center window washing will begin the second
week of August. Kevin also stated that he is still working on the installation of the
water rescue equipment cabinet.
14. Bilal Sarsour reported the Plant is working through the issues concerning the heat.
Mark Jefferson renovation is scheduled to be completed by beginning of September.
The Rackham window and HVAC renovations are on schedule. McKenny lot repair
and surfacing have been completed. Apartment flips and prep are underway including
the renovation of Building S at Westview. The Jones pool filter replacement is
scheduled for August 25 – October 15, 2012.
The next meeting is Friday, August 17, 2012 at 9 a.m.
in room 104 Student Center
H&S Committee Minutes –7/12
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